Bollywood Faces Legal Challenge Over Song Rights in Upcoming Film

Legal Dispute Arises Over Music Rights

A significant legal conflict has emerged in Bollywood as Puja Entertainment (India) Ltd, led by producer Vashu Bhagnani, has initiated a lawsuit amounting to Rs 400 crore in the Bombay High Court. The suit is directed against Tips Industries Limited, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar S Taurani, and filmmaker David Dhawan, concerning the alleged unauthorized use of songs from the 1999 blockbuster Biwi No 1 in the forthcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. This movie, featuring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde, is set to hit theaters globally on June 5, 2026.

The contention centers around the tracks Chunari Chunari and Ishq Sona Hai, which are claimed to have been incorporated into the Varun Dhawan-led project without the necessary permissions. According to reports, Puja Entertainment has accused the involved parties of exploiting these iconic songs and their associated intellectual property without holding any valid licenses or rights to utilize the original audio-visual content.

The lawsuit, filed through V K Dubey Associates, seeks immediate interim relief from the court. Puja Entertainment is demanding a halt to the release, distribution, exhibition, streaming, and commercial use of the film and its promotional materials that feature the disputed songs. They have also requested the court to mandate the removal of Chunari Chunari and Ishq Sona Hai from the film and its marketing campaigns.

Furthermore, Puja Entertainment has insisted on a title change for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, asserting that it is connected to the allegedly infringing content and branding associated with the songs. The production house has also sought an additional Rs 100 crore in damages if the defendants do not comply with their requests and continue to exploit the disputed works commercially. They argue that this infringement adversely affects the proprietary and commercial rights linked to the original works of Biwi No 1, a major success in Bollywood during the late 1990s.

According to an official statement, the Bombay High Court has accepted the lawsuit and is anticipated to address the matter soon. Counsel V K Dubey, representing Puja Entertainment, confirmed that the court has agreed to schedule a hearing shortly. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is expected to compete with Ram Charan's Peddi and Masters of the Universe upon its release. The film has received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ahead of its theatrical debut, with a final runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes.