Ruled in favour of Phantom Studios India Private Limited (Plaintiff)
In Short
Phantom Studios argued they owned half the rights to the hit movie 'Queen' and that a new film titled 'Queen Full Power' was an unauthorized sequel that copied their brand and characters. The Bombay High Court looked at the arguments and granted an interim order to protect the original creators' rights while the main lawsuit continues.
The Parties
Party A: Phantom Studios India Private Limited
Party B: Jiostar India Private Limited, Trigger Happy Entertainment Limited, and Digital 18 Media Pvt. Ltd.
Advocates & Judges
For Party A: Learned Advocate Mr. Darius J. Khambata, Learned Advocate Mr. Sharan Jagtiani, Learned Advocate Ms. Naira Jejeebhoy, Learned Advocate Mr. Rohan Dakshini, Learned Advocate Ms. Samridhi Lodha, Learned Advocate Ms. Nishtha Gupta, Learned Advocate Ms. Shweta Jaydev, Learned Advocate Ms. Nishi Doshi, and Learned Advocate Mr. Jai Sanyal
For Party B: Learned Advocate Mr. Ravi Kadam, Learned Advocate Mr. Rashmin Khandekar, Learned Advocate Mr. Anand Mohan, Learned Advocate Mr. Ameet Naik, Learned Advocate Ms. Madhu Gadodia, Learned Advocate Mr. Aman Saraf, Learned Advocate Mr. Vivek Dwivedi, Learned Advocate Ms. Fatima Ali, Learned Advocate Ms. Unnati Gambani, Learned Advocate Ms. Sakshi Dube, Learned Advocate Mr. Ashish Kamat, Learned Advocate Mr. Varun Dhond, Learned Advocate Mr. Vikramaditya Chavan, Learned Advocate Ms. Udita Kanwar Chavan, Learned Advocate Mr. Suryadeep Nanda, Learned Advocate Dr. Birendra Saraf, Learned Advocate Ms. Saloni Shah, Learned Advocate Ms. Shivani Khanwilkar, and Learned Advocate Ms. Dhun Vinod Santosh
Judge(s): Hon'ble Justice Sandeep V. Marne
What the Case Was About
Phantom Studios co-produced the highly successful 2014 Hindi film 'Queen', starring Kangana Ranaut and directed by Vikas Bahl, and claimed a 50 percent ownership share in its intellectual property. Years later, the studio discovered through media interviews and trade reports that the same lead actress and director were teaming up to make a new film tentatively titled 'Queen Full Power' or 'Queen 2'. Believing this new project was a spiritual sequel designed to cash in on the original film's goodwill without their permission, Phantom Studios rushed to court to stop the production and protect their joint ownership rights.
Judgment Date
14 October, 2026
The Outcome
The court reviewed the interim application and issued orders to address the competing claims regarding the production of the sequel, balancing the intellectual property rights of the original creators with the defendants' freedom to create new works.
What the Court Looked At
- Phantom Studios proved they held a 50 percent ownership stake in the intellectual property rights of the original film 'Queen' through valid co-production agreements.
- The plaintiff noticed clear industry reports and star interviews indicating that a spiritual sequel involving the same lead actor and director was actively being developed.
- The defendants argued that their new film was an entirely independent creative work with no legal connection to the original 2014 movie.
- The court examined whether using the familiar title elements, thematic style, and core cast without the co-producer's consent amounted to a legal violation of rights.
What This Means For You
This case shows that if you co-own a creative asset, brand, or intellectual property, you cannot simply sit back while someone else builds a derivative project or spiritual sequel off your hard work without proper authorization. The exact fact that helped the studio was having clear, documented proof of their co-production and ownership rights from the very beginning. If you are entering into a creative partnership or funding an entertainment project, always make sure your written contracts clearly spell out who owns the rights to future sequels, remakes, and spin-offs. Setback Solutions can help you understand your options and coordinate next steps when your creative works or business agreements are disputed.
You Still Have Options
If you are dealing with a contract dispute, a copyright infringement, or feeling lost after a commercial fallout, it is never the end of the road. You can always explore alternative avenues like getting a second opinion on your agreements, consulting industry specialists, or seeking non-judicial guidance to protect your interests. Reach out to Setback Solutions to help you understand your options and coordinate the next step. Setback Solutions is NOT a law firm and does NOT give legal advice or guarantee any result — we are here purely to provide plain-language help and coordination.