Cine 1 Studios, a
co-producer of Bollywood film Animal', approached the Delhi High Court on
Monday seeking a stay on its release on OTT platforms, digital streaming
platforms and its satellite broadcast.
The movie,
directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, was released in theatres on December 1, 2023
and is set to be released on Over-The-Top (OTT) platform Netflix on January 26.
While Cine 1
Studios Pvt Ltd claimed a breach of agreement and said it was not paid a single
penny, defendant and another co-producer Super Cassettes Industries Pvt Ltd
contended Rs 2.6 crore was paid to the plaintiff which it did not disclose to
the court.
Justice Sanjeev
Narula perused the document placed by the defendant about a payment of Rs 2.6
crore to the plaintiff.
On being asked by
the judge about the claimed payment, the counsel for Cine 1 Studios said he was
not aware of it as the document was not brought to his notice. The lawyer said
he will take his client's instructions and apprise the court.
The court was
told the plaintiff's counsel will ensure the presence of the authorised
signatory of Cine 1 Studios, Murad Khetani, before it on January 18, the next
date of hearing.
Senior advocate
Sandeep Sethi, representing Cine 1 Studios, said the plaintiff did not get any
information about the revenue the film earned, its collection at the box
office, the music, satellite or internet rights.
They (Super
Cassettes) have been collecting all the money but I have not been paid a single
penny... I have a long relationship with them but they have no respect for the
agreement. I had the regard for the relationship and the sanctity of the
contract, therefore, I did not rush to court, he submitted.
The plaint said
the two production houses had entered into an agreement to produce the film.
Under the agreement, Cine 1 claimed, it had a 35 per cent profit share and was
entitled to 35 per cent intellectual property rights in the movie.
The plaint
claimed without Cine 1's approval, Super Cassettes incurred expenses for
making/ promoting/ releasing the film, received revenues from the box office
sales but did not share the details with it. Super Cassettes also did not pay
any money to the plaintiff despite the profit-share agreement. it claimed.
Senior advocate
Amit Sibal, representing Super Cassettes, submitted the plaintiff invested no
money in the film and all expenses were borne by his client.
Apprising the
judge of a document signed between the parties, he contended the plaintiff
concealed from the court that on August 2, 2022 it had given up all its intellectual
property rights in the film.
In the amended
agreement, he (Cine 1) has deleted the clause where he got 35 per cent of
intellectual property right in the film.... All this has been given up for
consideration of Rs 2.6 crore for which he raised an invoice, Sibal said.
He said this
critical and material information was concealed from the court.