The legal battle over one of Bollywood's most anticipated films took a decisive turn on Wednesday, with the Bombay High Court refusing to stop JioStar from proceeding with Kangana Ranaut's upcoming film Queen Forever.
Phantom Studios had asked the court for an interim injunction that would have temporarily restrained JioStar from producing, releasing or promoting any sequel or adaptation of the 2014 hit Queen — including Queen Forever — without its written permission until the main case is decided. The court declined to grant the relief, giving the project temporary breathing room.
What Phantom alleges
Phantom Studios contends that Queen Forever is an unauthorised sequel that infringes its rights in the original 2014 film. The studio has filed a Rs 250 crore lawsuit claiming violations of a 2012 co-production agreement and a 2022 deed of novation. According to the studio, both parties — JioStar formerly operated as Viacom18 — jointly own equal rights to the intellectual property and derivative works associated with Queen, and any sequel, prequel or adaptation would require its consent.
The studio maintains that it never approved any sequel, adaptation or derivative work based on the film, and argues its agreements entitle both parties to a 50% share in the rights to any future sequel or prequel. The suit, filed through the legal firm Rashmikant and Partners, seeks to block the film's release and claims Rs 250 crore in damages.
JioStar's response
JioStar has denied Phantom's allegations, maintaining that Queen Forever is an independent production and not a continuation of the original film. After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Sandeep Marne refused the interim relief, according to a report in Bar and Bench.
The ruling deals only with the request for temporary relief — the underlying dispute over the Queen intellectual property remains a separate matter that will continue before the court. The decision comes months after the announcement of Kangana Ranaut's film, which has been in development under the title Queen Forever following earlier plans announced as Queen 2.
Sources: JioStar's Kangana Ranaut Starrer 'Queen Forever' Gets Breather As Bombay HC Rejects Phantom Studios' Plea To Halt Film — ABP Live
Phantom Studios had asked the court for an interim injunction that would have temporarily restrained JioStar from producing, releasing or promoting any sequel or adaptation of the 2014 hit Queen — including Queen Forever — without its written permission until the main case is decided. The court declined to grant the relief, giving the project temporary breathing room.
What Phantom alleges
Phantom Studios contends that Queen Forever is an unauthorised sequel that infringes its rights in the original 2014 film. The studio has filed a Rs 250 crore lawsuit claiming violations of a 2012 co-production agreement and a 2022 deed of novation. According to the studio, both parties — JioStar formerly operated as Viacom18 — jointly own equal rights to the intellectual property and derivative works associated with Queen, and any sequel, prequel or adaptation would require its consent.
The studio maintains that it never approved any sequel, adaptation or derivative work based on the film, and argues its agreements entitle both parties to a 50% share in the rights to any future sequel or prequel. The suit, filed through the legal firm Rashmikant and Partners, seeks to block the film's release and claims Rs 250 crore in damages.
JioStar's response
JioStar has denied Phantom's allegations, maintaining that Queen Forever is an independent production and not a continuation of the original film. After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Sandeep Marne refused the interim relief, according to a report in Bar and Bench.
The ruling deals only with the request for temporary relief — the underlying dispute over the Queen intellectual property remains a separate matter that will continue before the court. The decision comes months after the announcement of Kangana Ranaut's film, which has been in development under the title Queen Forever following earlier plans announced as Queen 2.
Sources: JioStar's Kangana Ranaut Starrer 'Queen Forever' Gets Breather As Bombay HC Rejects Phantom Studios' Plea To Halt Film — ABP Live
