The Bombay High Court has declined an urgent interim order for Phantom Studios, which is seeking ₹250 crore from JioStar India over the film 'Queen Forever.' Phantom alleges copyright infringement of the 2014 hit 'Queen,' but the court has opted to hear the defendant’s side before passing any orders. The next hearing is scheduled for August 4.
The Bombay High Court has refused to grant immediate relief to Phantom Studios in its legal dispute with JioStar India regarding the upcoming film 'Queen Forever.' Phantom Studios, a production house, had filed a lawsuit claiming ₹250 crore in damages and seeking an urgent injunction to stop JioStar from proceeding with distribution deals or third-party arrangements for the movie.
The Core Dispute Over Intellectual Property
Phantom Studios alleges that 'Queen Forever' acts as an unauthorized sequel to the 2014 blockbuster 'Queen.' The studio claims this violates a 2012 co-production agreement and a 2022 novation deed, which they argue establishes shared ownership of all intellectual property rights related to the 'Queen' brand. The legal conflict centers on whether these past agreements grant Phantom Studios a veto or ownership stake in any future installments or sequels developed by the production house now known as JioStar India, formerly Viacom18.
Court Proceedings and Timeline
During the recent proceedings, Phantom’s legal counsel requested an urgent hearing, citing concerns that the film’s release preparations were accelerating. They pointed to a social media post by actress Kangana Ranaut, which indicated that production on the film has been completed. However, Justice Gauri Godse questioned why the matter required such immediate intervention, noting that the court requires a formal response from JioStar before taking any action that could disrupt the film's business arrangements.
Counsel for JioStar argued that the dispute is not as urgent as the plaintiff portrays. They contended that Phantom Studios has been aware of the project’s development since at least April 2025 and has already been in communication with JioStar regarding the matter. The court has allowed Phantom Studios to amend its current application to formally include the social media evidence presented. The next hearing is scheduled for August 4, at which point JioStar is expected to submit its formal defense.
Business Implications for Media Companies
For investors and market participants, this dispute highlights the complex nature of intellectual property rights in the Indian media and entertainment sector. Legal battles over franchise rights and co-production agreements can create uncertainty for large studios, particularly when high-budget sequels or remakes are involved. The outcome of this case will be important to watch, as it could set a precedent for how co-production rights are interpreted in future film franchises. The key monitorable for the coming weeks will be the formal response filed by JioStar on August 4 and any subsequent judicial observations regarding the validity of the 2012 and 2022 agreements.