Madras High Court restrains unauthorised broadcast of Tamil film Parasakthi

The Madras High Court on Friday granted an interim injunction restraining the unauthorised broadcast of Sivakarthikeyan and Sreleela starrer film Parasakthi, by internet service providers and cable television operators [Dawn Pictures Vs BSNL]..The interim order was passed by Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy on a suit by the film producer Aakash Baskaran's company Dawn Pictures (plaintiff), which apprehended copyright infringement.The Court observed that in cases of this nature, a failure to restrain unlawful broadcasts would likely result in irreversible injury to the filmmakers..However, the Court also acknowledged the potential impact of a restraining order on legitimate businesses."In view of the expensive nature of the relief claimed, it is possible that the legitimate business interest of one or more respondents may be affected," the Court stated.To mitigate this, the Court has mandated that the plaintiff indemnify any respondent whose legitimate business interests may be adversely affected by the restraining order..The order was passed after the Court examined the plaintiff's claims over the film, including documents placed on record to establish title and licensing arrangements.During the hearing, the Court closely questioned the nature of the plaintiff’s rights, specifically whether the plaintiff was an exclusive licensee or the producer of the film, before eventually granting an interim injunction order. The interim injunction will remain in effect until the next scheduled hearing. The Court has also sought the response of all respondents (ISPs and cable operators) in the matter..Parasakthi is an upcoming Tamil political drama allegedly set against the backdrop of the 1965 Anti-Hindi Imposition agitations in Tamil Nadu. The film is written and directed by Sudha Kongara and produced by Aakash Baskaran of Dawn Pictures.The film stars Sivakarthikeyan in the lead role, alongside Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa Murali, and Sreeleela in key roles. Music for the film is composed by GV Prakash Kumar, marking his 100th project as a composer, with cinematography by Ravi K Chandran.Parasakthi is scheduled for theatrical release on January 10, 2026, ahead of the Pongal festival. The film has attracted significant attention due to its political theme, period setting, and its positioning as a major festive release in Tamil cinema..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.