Karan Johar’s name can’t be used without consent, says Bombay HC as it passes judgment on movie blatantly copying his name

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The Bombay High Court has sided with filmmaker Karan Johar, preventing the release of the movie “Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar,” citing that the film’s use of his name without authorization violates his personal rights and could potentially harm his reputation, as per a report by Live Law.

The court’s ruling on May 7, 2025, affirmed an earlier decision from March 7, 2025, which had initially halted the film’s premiere. Karan Johar had filed a lawsuit asserting that he was not associated with the project and had not granted permission for his name to be utilized.

The movie’s title features two characters called “Karan” and “Johar,” who are depicted as Bollywood directors, echoing Johar’s real-life persona. This raised doubts about the filmmakers trying to falsely connect the film with him.

A panel of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Makarand Karnik concurred that the movie seemed to capitalize on Johar’s identity and public image for promotional purposes and financial gain, without his approval.

In a previous hearing, Justice Riyaz Chagla had also noted that the film’s title and character depiction appeared to be an intentional effort to link the movie with Karan Johar. He characterized it as an obvious instance of exploiting a celebrity’s name for attention-grabbing purposes.

Karan Johar’s legal team contended that his name carries substantial influence in Bollywood and is recognized as a well-known brand. They asserted that the filmmakers were unjustifiably attempting to capitalize on this brand without proper authorization, which was both misleading and unlawful.

Additionally, they highlighted that trailers and promotional materials for the movie had already misguided the public and tarnished Johar’s reputation by suggesting he was involved in the production when he was not.

The court concurred, stating that only Karan Johar has the legal authority to utilize his name and public persona for commercial or creative endeavors. Any unauthorized use by a third party would infringe upon his personal rights, as clearly stipulated in law. The court’s comprehensive decision is anticipated to be published shortly.

Karan Johar is a well-known director in the Hindi film industry, famous for creating landmark movies such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and My Name Is Khan. He has significantly influenced contemporary Bollywood with his epic storytelling, emotional resonance, and stunning visuals.

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2025-05-08 02:37