Calcutta High Court stays release of film HOUSEFUL with offending song from yesteryear blockbuster Laawaris

Calcutta High Court on 29.4.2010 stayed the release of latest movie 'HOUSEFUL' with the offending song 'apni to jaise taise'. The film starring Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone. This film produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by Sajid Khan is entangled in legal controvery over its song “apni to jaise taise” which is apparently lifted and remixed from the old blockbuster Laawaris which was produced by Prakash Mehra.

Punit Mehra, son of Prakash Mehra has filed Suit No.112/2010 in Calcutta High Court against Sajid, objecting to this song and asking for removing this song from the movie on the ground that the said song was written by Prakash Mehra and he had copyright in the lyrics of said song. Earlier, music director Anandji and heirs of music director Kalyanji also filed Suit No.109/2010 claiming that producers of Housefull used the song without having any copyright. The Court (Justice Nadira Patherya) stayed the movie with said song on 29.4.2010. However, Sajid still released the movie with offending song on 30.4.2010 Friday.

On 30.4.2010, the case was mentioned before the Court and the producer, director and SAREGAMA (Music company) sought time for compliance of the stay order. They were restrained from exhibiting the said offending song in the film. As they expressed inability to stop the release in view of unavailability of the stay order, the Court directed them on 30.4.2010 to file in court on 3rd May 2010 the statement of collections made on 30th April, 1st May and 2nd May 2010.


Sunil Goel advocateB.Sc. L.Lb L.Lm