The Delhi High Court on Thursday (March 27) banned the release of Tamil film ‘Veera Dheera Sooran Movie’ starring actor Vikram for four weeks. The film was scheduled to release today, but the court took this decision due to the producer violating the assignment agreement.
Why was the release of the film banned?
The High Court, while giving an interim order, ruled in favor of the rights holder (assignee) of the film and restrained the producer from releasing the film. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said, “Considering the circumstances of the present case, the defendant is in violation of the assignment agreement. The court has come to the conclusion that the plaintiff (Ivy Entertainment Private Limited) has made out a strong case to obtain an interim injunction against the defendant (HR Pictures). Therefore, the defendant and its representatives are restrained from releasing the film for four weeks from March 27, 2025.”
How was the agreement violated?
An assignment agreement was entered into between Ivy Entertainment and HR Pictures on June 19, 2024. Under this agreement, HR Pictures exclusively assigned the digital, theatrical and satellite rights of the film in Hindi and North Indian languages to Ivy Entertainment. The deal was done for Rs 51 crore, out of which Ivy Entertainment has paid Rs 44 crore so far, while Rs 7 crore is pending. According to the agreement, HR Pictures had to provide ‘pre-release material’ and ‘theatrical release material’ to Ivy Entertainment at least 14 days before the release of the film. Also, the Censor Board (CBFC) certificate should be part of the theatrical release material.
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What did the court say?
The court found that HR Pictures had obtained the CBFC certificate for the Tamil language on March 22, 2025, but they have not yet provided theatrical release material and other necessary materials to Ivy Entertainment. The court clarified that the assignment agreement mandated that the content for Hindi dubbing and theatrical release be made available on time.
HR Pictures claimed that since Ivy Entertainment had not made the balance payment of Rs 7 crore, they could not be compelled to fulfill the agreement. However, the court rejected this argument as Ivy Entertainment told the court that it would pay the balance amount within 24 hours.
Effect of the judgment
The court held that HR Pictures was not able to provide the required documents and materials on time, as the CBFC certificate was also received after March 22, 2025. Further, the court said that HR Pictures has not yet provided the theatrical release material mentioned in clause 1.24 of the assignment agreement and the pre-release material specified in clause 1.12.
Given these circumstances, the court restrained HR Pictures from releasing the film on March 27, 2025, for four weeks. Also, it directed that as soon as Ivy Entertainment pays the remaining Rs 7 crore, HR Pictures must provide all the required materials within 48 hours.
Case: Ivy Entertainment Pvt Ltd vs HR Pictures (CS (Com) 264/2025)
This judgment highlights the importance of assignment agreements in the film industry and ensuring that contractual terms are followed.
Surendra Bareth is a versatile actor and assistant director with a Bachelor’s degree from Guru Ghasidas University. He has made remarkable contributions to Hindi and Chhattisgarhi cinema, as well as television, excelling in both acting and direction.
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