The Bombay High Court has agreed to hear a request from film producer Sanjay Singh, whose movie Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar was put on hold after filmmaker Karan Johar filed a lawsuit.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik listened to arguments from Johar's lawyer, senior advocate Zal Andhyarujina. The lawyer said the case raises important legal questions and will need enough time for a detailed hearing.

Sanjay Singh’s lawyers, Ashok Saraogi and Sushil Upadhyay, urged the court to hear the case quickly, saying the delay is causing serious financial problems for the producer. “The film was supposed to be released in 150 theatres, but everything had to be cancelled without proper reason,” Saraogi told the court.

He also pointed out that the film already has a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), yet it’s still not allowed to be released. Since the movie doesn’t feature big stars, he said, it would only have a chance to do well during the school summer holidays, April to June. Any more delay, he warned, would lead to huge financial loss. The court asked both sides to submit a summary of their arguments and set the next hearing for April 15.

The legal dispute began when the Bombay High Court issued an order stopping the release and promotion of the film Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar. The court stated that using Karan Johar’s name in the film's title without his permission could be seen as a violation of his personality and publicity rights. It pointed out that Karan Johar is a well-known figure in the entertainment industry, and his name holds a distinct identity in the public eye.

According to the court, the title of the film, particularly the use of the words “Karan Aur Johar” after “Shaadi Ke Director”, makes a clear and direct reference to the filmmaker. The court observed that this could mislead the public into believing that Karan Johar is associated with or endorses the film, which is not the case. Therefore, using his name in this manner for commercial benefit, without his consent, was not allowed.

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