38.6c New Delhi, India, Friday, October 03, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

Chhapaak filmmakers directed to give credit to the lawyers Aprana Bhat in the film by Delhi HC

By LawStreet News Network      11 January, 2020 07:01 PM      0 Comments
Chhapaak filmmakers directed to give credit to the lawyers Aprana Bhat in the film by Delhi HC

Film CHHAPAAK released on 10.01.2020 depicts an arduous and heroic journey Ms. Laxmi Agarwal since the time she was attacked with acid at the young age of 15. Ms. Meghna Gulzar is the Director/Producer of the film. Film seeks to portray her emotional and legal journey. Ms. Aparna Bhat represented Laxmi in her legal battle right from the criminal trial, to appeal in HC and in a PIL in SC. Ms. Bhat was also involved in the making of a film when she was approached by Ms. Gulzar, by giving her inputs, providing documents, explaining the legal nuances in the entire journey, editing the script etc. it was agreed at the time of finalization of the script that Ms. Bhats role in film would be acknowledged by mentioning the same in the film as under: 

Aparna Bhat continues to fight cases of sexual and physical violence against women

When due credit was not given, the suit for injunction was filed before the Trial Court by her. Trial court granted an interim order in favour of Ms. Bhat and ordered that her contribution be duly acknowledged. Court also remarked that: 

Although, the said agreement does not have any financial implication but non-inclusion of the plaintiffs contribution during the screening of film would cause irreparable damage to her in other terms.

Order of trial court was challenged in the case of Fox Star Studios (Division of Star India Private Limited) v. Aparna Bhat and Ors. Before Delhi HC. Counsel for the Appellant argued that compliance with the trial court order will violate Rule 36, Section IV, Chapter II, Part VI of the Bar Council of India Rules which debars lawyers from advertisement or promotion. Counsel appearing for Ms. Meghna argued that neither did the parties enter into any contract, nor was there any specific understanding/agreement between the parties to acknowledge the Plaintiffs role and hence no legal right of Ms. Bhat is violated. 

Plaintiff had invoked the doctrine of Promissory Esptoppel to seek relief. Requirement of which is a clear and unequivocal promise, which is intended to create a legal relationship, and that such promise would be binding. The letters, e-mails and WhatsApp messages (given as an evidence) showed that an expectation was created in the Plaintiffs mind that her inputs and contribution in the making of the film would be adequately acknowledged. 

To seek remedy of Promissory Esptoppel, promisee has to show that she had clearly altered her position based on the representations made by the promisor, in our case Ms. Meghna. Ms. Bhat had made substantial contribution in the film in varying form there by altering her position, which made fit case to seek remedy. 

As judgment of HC is delivered today on 11.01.2020 when the film has already been released, HC granted the time till 15.01.2020 to add credit in the digital copies of the films opening credit slides so as not to disturb the screening and time till 18.01.2020 in theatres where physical copies of the film are to be supplied.

Author: Parth Thummar



Share this article:

User Avatar
About:


Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS


TOP STORIES

sc-allows-manufacturing-of-green-crackers-in-delhi-subject-to-no-sale
Trending Judiciary
SC allows manufacturing of green crackers in Delhi, subject to no sale

SC allows certified manufacturers to produce green crackers in Delhi, but bans their sale in NCR till further orders, balancing pollution and livelihoods.

27 September, 2025 01:23 AM
kerala-hc-directs-comprehensive-snakebite-prevention-guidelines-for-schools
Trending Judiciary
Kerala HC Directs Comprehensive Snakebite Prevention Guidelines For Schools [Read Order]

Kerala High Court directs comprehensive snakebite prevention and management guidelines for schools, ensuring safety, awareness, and emergency response.

30 September, 2025 08:46 PM
sc-orders-two-judicial-officers-to-go-for-seven-days-training-for-flawed-bail-order
Trending Judiciary
SC orders two judicial officers to go for seven days training for flawed bail order [Read Judgment]

Supreme Court quashes flawed bail order, directs two Delhi judges to undergo 7-day special training on judicial conduct and bail rulings.

30 September, 2025 09:58 PM
sc-seeks-reply-from-iit-delhi-kharagpur-on-plea-to-transfer-student-due-to-mental-health-condition
Trending Judiciary
SC seeks reply from IIT Delhi, Kharagpur on plea to transfer student due to mental health condition [Read Order]

SC seeks reply from IIT Delhi & Kharagpur on plea for transfer of B Arch student citing mental health needs, AIIMS proximity & Article 21 rights.

30 September, 2025 11:22 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email