Dhurandhar 2: Delhi HC grants OTT release relief in Tirchi Topiwale copyright case, T-series to deposit 50lakh

In a significant development within the realm of intellectual property law, the Delhi High Court has issued a ruling that will allow the Over-The-Top (OTT) release of the film "Dhurandhar: The Revenge." This decision comes amidst a contentious copyright dispute, where the film's creators are accused of utilizing the widely recognized song "Tirchi Topiwale," originally featured in the classic film "Tridev," without proper authorization.

Delhi HC refuses to stay Dhurandhar: The Revenge OTT release

According to Live Law, Justice Tushar Rao Gedela refused to grant interim relief to Trimurti Films Private Limited. Trimurti Films had sought an injunction to prevent the use and exploitation of the song "Tirchi Topiwale" and its remixed version, "Rang De Lal (Oye Oye)," in the film and on digital platforms. Despite this, the court has ordered Super Cassettes Industries Pvt. Ltd., commonly known as T-Series, to deposit Rs 50 lakh with the court within four weeks.

Trimurti Films contended that a 1988 agreement only granted limited audio rights to Super Cassettes Industries, and crucially, did not permit the synchronization or incorporation of "Tirchi Topiwale" into another film. The production house asserted that the inclusion of the song in "Dhurandhar: The Revenge" constituted a violation of their copyright pertaining to the literary, musical, and sound recording aspects of the track. Conversely, the defendants, which include B62 Studios Pvt. Ltd. and Jio Studios, opposed this claim. They accused Trimurti Films of suppressing facts and pointed out that songs from "Tridev" had been previously utilized in films like "Azhar" and "K.G.F: Chapter 1" without any legal recourse being taken by Trimurti Films.

The court declined to block the film's Over-The-Top (OTT) release. It reasoned that should Trimurti Films ultimately prevail in their copyright assertions after a full trial, financial compensation through damages would be an adequate remedy. Consequently, at this juncture, the court did not see sufficient cause to prevent the digital distribution of "Dhurandhar: The Revenge."

The Delhi High Court has mandated that T-Series must deposit ?50 lakh within a four-week timeframe. This sum is to be placed under the name of the Registrar General and subsequently invested in an interest-bearing fixed deposit, which will include an auto-renewal provision. Ultimately, the financial benefit derived from this deposit will be awarded to the party that emerges victorious following the conclusion of the trial.

About Dhurandhar

"Dhurandhar: The Revenge" is scheduled to be available for streaming on Netflix starting May 15, 2026. In India, the film is anticipated to premiere on JioHotstar. Reports indicate that viewers on this platform might have access to an extended version, referred to as "Raw & Undekha," which is reportedly 3 hours and 52 minutes long and includes extra, uncensored footage that was not part of the theatrical release.