SC stays ban order of Kerala HC on using 'Varaha Roopam' song in Kantara movie

'Varaharoopam' was one of the highlights of 'Kantara'. The movie is produced by Hombale Films and actor Rishab Shetty directed the movie.

New Delhi, Feb 10: The Supreme Court on Friday relaxed the condition imposed by Kerala HC that movie 'Kantara' should not exhibit 'Varaharoopam' song.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala also issued notice to the Kerala government and sought its reply in two weeks.

The bench modified one of the conditions of the high court and directed that producer Vijay Kirgandur and director Rishab Shetty be released on bail immediately if arrested.

The top court took note of the submissions of senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Kirgandur and Shetty, challenging some conditions in the high court order and passed an interim order.

On February 8, the high court granted anticipatory bail to the director and producer in a case registered in a Kozhikode police station alleging plagiarism in the song.

The high court laid out five conditions and asked Kirgandur and Shetty to surrender before the investigating officer for two days on February 12 and 13 between 10 am and 1 pm for interrogation.

Shetty and Kiragandur are named as accused in crime No.703/2022 of Kozhikode Town Police Station under the Copyright Act 1956 over plagiarism allegations relating to "Varaharoopam" song, the report said.

According to the petitioners, 'Varaharoopam' song is unauthorised copy of the "Navarasam" song, performed by Thaikkudam Bridge band in KAPPA' TV owned by Mathrubhumi Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.

However, the makers of 'Varaharoopam' denied the allegations, saying that it is an independent composition and has no connection with the 'Navarasam' song.

Both the director and the producer have claimed that there were two civil suits against the song over copyright infringement and both courts have found the suits to be not maintainable.

'Varaharoopam' was one of the highlights of 'Kantara'. The movie is produced by Hombale Films and actor Rishab Shetty directed the movie. The controversial song was composed by Ajaneesh Loknath.

'Kantara' was one of the biggest box-office hits of 2022. The movie was first released in Kannada. Following its success, the makers dubbed the movie in other languages.

The movie has grossed over Rs 400 crore at the worldwide box office.