In a significant legal development, the Madras High Court has permitted Reliance Industries Limited to withdraw its commercial lawsuit concerning alleged piracy threats to the film Dhurandhar. The matter was taken up on February 18 and was formally dismissed after the company chose to discontinue the proceedings.
The case, titled Reliance Industries Limited vs BSNL, was heard by Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy. During the hearing, counsel appearing for Reliance informed the court that the company had decided to withdraw the suit. The court recorded the submission and dismissed the matter as withdrawn, without imposing any costs. The related interim applications were also closed.
Reliance, through its media arm Jio Studios, had initially filed the action under the Copyright Act, 1957. The objective was to secure permanent injunctions to prevent the unauthorised online circulation and cable transmission of Dhurandhar. The plea was filed as a preventive anti-piracy measure ahead of the film’s theatrical release, a common legal strategy adopted by producers to safeguard content.
The suit had named a wide range of defendants, including telecom service providers, internet intermediaries, and cable distribution networks. Among those listed were BSNL, MTNL, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Tata Communications, Sify Technologies, Hathway, GTPL Hathway, Asianet Satellite Communications, Spectra ISP Networks, along with several regional cable operators.
Reliance had sought directions requiring internet and telecom intermediaries to block access to websites hosting infringing copies of the film upon notice. It also requested prohibition orders to restrain cable operators and other platforms from facilitating cam recording, duplication, broadcast, or distribution of the film across cable television, DTH services, satellite systems, internet platforms, or storage devices.
Earlier, on December 5, the court had granted interim protection, restraining service providers and cable operators from airing or enabling access to pirated versions of the film.
However, when the case was listed again on February 18, Reliance’s counsel formally conveyed the decision to withdraw the suit. The court subsequently passed a brief order recording the withdrawal and closing the proceedings. The order did not specify the reasons behind the company’s decision.
Meanwhile, the makers of Dhurandhar are preparing for the release of its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The trailer is expected to be unveiled soon, with the film slated to release in cinemas on March 19.