The Bombay High Court has upheld the release of the highly
anticipated movie "Dream Girl 2," featuring Ayushmann Khurrana, amidst
an ongoing legal dispute. The court ruled that last-minute concerns should not
hinder the screening of films. The film is set to premiere on the forthcoming
Friday, August 25, and has been entangled in a legal conflict.
Justice Riyaz Chagla pronounced the verdict on August 22
during the hearing of a case initiated by Ashim Bagchi. Bagchi alleged that the
movie's plot closely resembled a script he had registered with the Film Screen
Writers Association in May 2007. Bagchi requested an injunction to suspend the
movie's release until the legal matter reached a conclusion.
Nevertheless, the High Court stressed that the lawsuit and
injunction plea were filed on August 18, leaving inadequate time for the
defendants to prepare an appropriate response. The court stated,
"Established legal precedent dictates that films should not be restrained
from release at the last minute. The Respondent/Defendant should be given the
opportunity to respond to the interim application."
The court directed the respondents, which included Balaji
Telefilms Ltd, its executives Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, as well as the
film's writers Raaj Shaandilyaa and Naresh Kathooria, to submit their sworn
statements in reply to Bagchi's allegations. Prior to approaching the High
Court, Bagchi had issued a cease and desist notice to the production company,
which involved Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, after not receiving a response.
The case is scheduled for further proceedings on August 31,
2023, just a few days after the planned release of the film. As the legal
battle progresses, the fate of "Dream Girl 2" hangs in uncertainty.