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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued summons to Super Cassettes and Netflix on a plea filed by Cine1 Studios Private Ltd. seeking a stay on the OTT release of the recent film "Animal," featuring Ranbir Kapoor.

The film, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, premiered in theaters on December 1, 2023, and is scheduled for an OTT release on Netflix on January 26.

Cine1 Studios, a key producer of the movie, alleges that Super Cassettes Industries Private Ltd. (T-Series) breached their agreement, denying Cine1 its rightful profit share and intellectual property rights.

The bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula, upon admitting the suit, issued summons to the defendants and granted them time to submit a written statement.

The court directed the defendants to file an affidavit of admission or denial of the plaintiff's documents along with the written statement, stating that without this affidavit, the written statement would not be accepted.

Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing Cine1, claimed that T-Series failed to share financial details and acted without Cine1's approval in incurring expenses and promoting or releasing the film.

Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for T-Series, argued that Cine1 had relinquished intellectual property rights through an August 2, 2022, amendment, receiving Rs 2.6 crore in return.

"This amendment has been concealed. They got Rs 2.6 crore. They have not put a pie in the movie and yet got Rs 2.6 crore," he contended.

After discovering an alleged concealed amendment to the contract, Justice Narula adjourned the case to Monday, i.e. January 22, to allow Cine1 to seek instructions regarding this amendment.

Earlier, Sethi, representing Cine 1 Studios had contended that the plaintiff had not received any information about the film's revenue, box office collections, music, satellite, or internet rights. Sethi submitted that Super Cassettes had been collecting funds without sharing any proceeds and criticized their lack of respect for the agreement.

Sibal, on behalf of Super Cassettes, had contended that Cine 1 Studios made no financial investment in the film, and all expenses were borne by his client. He had pointed to a signed document between the parties, claiming that Cine 1 Studios had relinquished its intellectual property rights for a consideration of Rs 2.6 crore, a fact allegedly concealed from the court.

The suit alleges that Super Cassettes incurred expenses and received revenues without Cine 1's approval, violating the profit-share agreement.

Case Title: Cine1 Studios Private Limited v. Super Cassettes Industries Pvt, Ltd. & Ors.