Producer of Tamil film Kaithi move Bombay HC accusing Bholaa's makers of violating remake rights

The producer of the Tamil hit Kaithi, Dream Warrior Pictures, has moved the Bombay High Court accusing the makers of the film's 2023 Bollywood remake, Bholaa, of violating copyright and remake rights [Dream Warrior Pictures v. Reliance Studio Entertainment & Ors.]

A single-judge Bench of Justice Sharmila Deshmukh has reserved orders on a preliminary objection raised by Bholaa's makers on whether the Bombay High Court has the territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The suit by Dream Warrior Pictures says that it produced and released “Kaithi” in October 2019. Dream Warrior Pictures claims to be the sole owner of the film’s copyright and remake rights.

A series of remake arrangements were eventually entered into, beginning with a collaboration with a Reliance group entity in February 2020.

Dream Warrior executed a Remake Rights Assignment Agreement dated March 29, 2023 (Agreement 1) with Reliance Entertainment Studios for a Hindi remake titled “Bholaa”.

Dream Warrior claims that under this agreement, it was to receive a fixed assignment fee in tranches, of which only ₹1 crore + GST was paid in April 2022. It further says that it was entitled variable payments linked to the film's exploitation.

“Bholaa” was released worldwide on March 30, 2023.

On April 1, 2023, Dream Warrior, Reliance and Ajay Devgn Ffilms LLP executed a tripartite Assignment Agreement (Agreement 2), vesting 100 per cent remake rights jointly in all three parties, but leaving exploitation rights with Reliance.

Dream Warrior claims that the second and third tranches of payments under Agreement 1, due on April 29 and May 29, 2023, were never paid.

After a series of reminder emails seeking accounts and payment in 2023 and 2024 went unanswered, Dream Warrior issued a notice on October 28, 2024, demanding ₹4 crore plus interest.

It warned that non-payment within 30 days would trigger automatic termination of the agreement and reversion of all film rights.

On the expiry of this period on November 27, 2024, Dream Warrior claims that Agreement 1 stood terminated and all remake and exploitation rights in “Bholaa” reverted to it.

Parallelly, it filed a plea before the NCLT Mumbai by way of a Section 9 petition to seek the initiation of insolvency resolution proceedings against Reliance Entertainment, alleging the non-payment of operational debts.

The NCLT dismissed the petition in August 2025, holding that there was no operational debt.

It clarified that contractual and IP disputes over “Kaithi” and “Bholaa” must be worked out before a civil court, leaving Dream Warrior’s civil and intellectual property claims unaffected.

The present commercial IP suit was filed on March 22, 2026. Dream Warrior has sought injunctions to restrain Reliance and Ajay Devgn Films from distributing, broadcasting, streaming or otherwise monetising “Bholaa."

It seeks a declaration that the assignment agreements stand terminated with rights reverting back to Dream Warrior, and seeks damages including accounts of revenues and profits earned from the film and derivative content.

The suit has also been filed against OTT platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Zee Cinema and T-Series, who are downstream licensees. Dream Shadow has asserted that any post‑November 27, 2024 streaming of the Hindi remake is unauthorised and entails wrongful enrichment. 

During the hearing, the defending companies argued that there were two agreements governing the relationship, and as per the principal agreement, courts at Chennai alone had jurisdiction.

They contended that the Mumbai court could not be approached on the strength of a supplementary agreement.

After hearing both sides, the Court reserved its order on the issue of jurisdiction.

Advocates Rashmin Khandekar, Bhanu Chopra, Deepak Deshmukh, and Jahan Ajay Chokshi were briefed by KJAC and Associates appeared for Dream Warriors.

Advocate Rohan Sawant was briefed by Parinam Law Associates represented Reliance Studios.

Advocates Hiren Kamod, Arunima Phadke and Pragya Chandrak briefed by Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas appeared for Ajay Devgn Ffilms. 

Advocate Thomas George and Neeli Nihal briefed by Saikrishna Associates appeared for Amazon Seller Services. 

Advocate Nirali Atha briefed by Dua Associates appeared for Zee Entertainment. 

Advocates Vinayika S and Madhu Gadodia briefed by Naik and Naik and Co. appeared for Super Casettes.