Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has granted legal protection to Ranbir Kapoor and Yash-starrer Ramayana, directing action against unauthorised uploads, piracy and illegal streaming of the film.
The court has also directed internet service providers (ISPs) and social media platforms to remove pirated content once it is brought to their notice by the makers.
The order was passed on Monday by Justice Madhav Jamdar, who heard a copyright infringement suit filed by Godpower Media Private Limited.
The company holds the film’s copyright and exploitation rights in India and overseas territories.
According to Bar and Bench, the court was informed that the first instalment of Ramayana has been made on a budget of ₹2,000 crore, taking the combined budget of the two-part franchise to ₹4,000 crore.
Godpower Media also highlighted an earlier breach, stating that footage from both trailers had been secretly recorded and circulated online.
This allegedly happened despite the makers restricting preview screenings to invited guests and requiring attendees to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Ahead of the film’s worldwide theatrical release on November 5, the company approached the court seeking safeguards against further leaks and unauthorised distribution.
Its plea sought protection for the film and associated elements, including the script, characters, footage, lyrics and sound recordings.
Justice Jamdar acknowledged the company’s concerns, observing that there was a real possibility of the film, or excerpts from it, being recorded and circulated online without permission.
“Prima facie, the plaintiff (Godpower) has real and well-founded apprehension that the film or parts of it will be recorded and uploaded, streamed, or communicated to the public on various platforms,” Justice Jamdar observed, as per the report.
The court’s protection extends to both identified offenders and unidentified individuals who may attempt to circulate the film without authorisation.
The inclusion of John Doe defendants allows legal action to be initiated against potential infringers even when their identities are unknown.
The court also took note of how pirated material often resurfaces on mirror websites after original links are taken down.
It directed ISPs and social media platforms to block or remove such links upon receiving written notice from Godpower Media.
Counsel representing Google LLC and other social media platforms did not oppose the company’s plea and assured the court that they would act on piracy complaints.
Godpower Media will be required to share URLs containing pirated copies or clips with the concerned platforms and ISPs, which must then block access to or remove the content.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.
The film is backed by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios, DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.
The two-part epic is scheduled for a worldwide release on November 5, with the second instalment planned for Diwali 2027.
It will release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam and will be screened in IMAX and other premium formats.
Sony Pictures will handle international distribution outside India, while Dharma Productions will distribute the film in the Hindi-speaking market.