Ajay Devgn’s Bholaa in legal dock as Kaithi makers move Bombay HC over remake rights

Actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn’s 2023 film Bholaa has come under legal scrutiny, with the makers of the Tamil hit Kaithi approaching the Bombay High Court alleging violation of remake rights.

The petition, filed earlier this week, claims that the Hindi adaptation exceeded the scope of rights granted under the agreement and breached contractual obligations.

Agreement and alleged breach

According to court filings, the dispute traces back to a series of agreements between the Kaithi producers and Reliance Entertainment.

A key Remake Rights Assignment Agreement, signed on March 29, 2023, allowed for the Hindi adaptation of the Tamil film. However, the plaintiffs have alleged that the makers of Bholaa introduced substantial changes that went beyond what was contractually permitted.

They further claimed that payment obligations under the agreement were not met. A notice was issued, giving a 30-day window to clear dues, failing which the contract would stand terminated.

The agreement, the petition states, was eventually terminated on November 27, 2024, with the original producers asserting that all remake and exploitation rights reverted to them.

Earlier proceedings

The dispute had earlier reached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Mumbai, where the Kaithi makers sought initiation of insolvency proceedings against Reliance Entertainment over unpaid dues.

In August 2025, the tribunal dismissed the plea, observing that issues relating to intellectual property and contractual rights fall within the domain of civil courts.

Fresh plea seeks injunction

In the present suit, filed on March 22, 2026, the plaintiffs have sought an injunction restraining the defendants from distributing, broadcasting, or streaming Bholaa. They have also sought to bar any form of monetisation of the film.

The plea names multiple entities, including OTT platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, and broadcasters like Zee Cinema and T-Series.

Jurisdiction contested

During the hearing, the defence argued that the dispute is governed by two agreements, with the principal contract conferring jurisdiction on courts in Chennai. It contended that a supplementary agreement does not provide sufficient grounds to invoke the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court.

The Bombay High Court, after hearing both sides, has reserved its order on the issue of jurisdiction.

Background

Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Karthi, Kaithi (2019) was a critically acclaimed action thriller. Bholaa, its Hindi remake, was directed by and starred Ajay Devgn