The Bombay High Court has declined to grant urgent interim relief to Phantom Studios in its ₹250 crore suit against JioStar India over the film Queen Forever, with the judge questioning the urgency of the plea and indicating she would pass orders only after giving JioStar an opportunity to file its reply.
Court Questions Urgency, Defers Interim Relief
The matter was mentioned before Justice Gauri Godse by counsel for Phantom Studios, seeking urgent listing so that orders could be passed restraining JioStar from creating third-party rights in the film, including distribution deals. Counsel cited urgency based on an Instagram post by lead actor Kangana Ranaut announcing completion of the film's shoot.
Justice Godse, however, questioned the urgency of the plea and said she would be inclined to pass orders only after granting adequate opportunity to JioStar to file its reply.
Background: Dispute Over 2012 Co-Production Agreement
Phantom has sued JioStar India for ₹250 crore, alleging that Queen Forever breaches a 2012 co-production agreement and a 2022 deed of novation, under which Phantom and JioStar (formerly Viacom18) are claimed to be joint and equal owners of all intellectual property and derivative rights in Queen. Phantom has sought permanent and interim injunctions restraining any sequel, remake or derivative work based on Queen without its consent. JioStar maintains the new project is an original, independent film, and had earlier denied in a press release that it is a continuation of the original.
JioStar Argues Phantom Was Aware Of Project Since 2025
Senior advocate Ravi Kadam, appearing for JioStar, contended that Phantom had been aware of the project since April 2025 and had already engaged in correspondence with JioStar over it. He also pointed out that the film is expected to release later this year, and submitted that Phantom could not rely on the Instagram post since it was not part of the interim application.
Plea Allowed To Be Amended, Matter Listed For August 4
The Court permitted Phantom to amend its plea to bring the Instagram post on record and kept the matter for hearing on August 4.
Case: Phantom Studios v. JioStar India & Ors.
Court: Bombay High Court
Bench: Justice Gauri Godse
Next Date of Hearing: August 4, 2026
Counsel for Phantom Studios: Advocates Shyam Kapadia and Rohan Dakshini, briefed by Rashmikant & Partners
Counsel for JioStar India: Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam with advocates Ameet Naik and Madhu Gadodia of Naik Naik & Co.
![Husband Can Also Claim Alimony/Maintenance From Wife: Bombay High Court Orders Woman To Pay Alimony To Ex-Husband [Read Order]](/secure/uploads/2022/04/lj_2823_Divorce.jpg)
