Madras High Court Stays Release Of “Kumki 2” Movie Amidst Money Dispute

Justice Anand Venkatesh passed the interim orders on a petition filed by S.Chandraprakash Jain under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act seeking an ad interim injunction restraining the distribution and release of the movie. The court ordered a stay till December 3, after noting that there was a prima facie case in favour of the financier.

“A prima facie case has been made out by the applicant and the balance of convenience is in favour of the applicant since if the applicant is not given interim protection and the movie is released, the applicant will not be able to recover the amount. If the movie is released, the applicant will also be put to irreparable loss and hardship. In view of the above, there shall be an order of interim injunction as prayed for till 03.12.2025,” the court said.

Jain submitted that he was engaged in the finance business and was providing finance towards film production. He submitted that GOD Pictures (first respondents) had approached him seeking financial assistance in making the movie. He submitted that he had entered into an agreement with the production company and had lent a sum of Rs. 1,50,00,000 with an interest at 24% p.a.

Jain further submitted that as per the agreement, the amount was to be repaid along with intrest on or before six months from the date of the agreement or 7 days prior to the release of the movie, whichever was earlier. He added that the production company had also undertaken not to release or commercially exploit the movie without repaying the loan amount and a confirmation was also obtained to this effect on July 23, 2018.

It was submitted that after the production company failed to replay the loan within the time stipulated under the agreement, the parties arrived at a settlement according to which the production company agreed to pay a sum of Rs. 2,50,00,000, 10 days before the release of the movie. He pointed out that in this settlement also, the production company had assured that they would not release the movie or allow anyone to release the movie prior to settling the dues.

Jain argued that in complete disregard to the agreement, the production company is now taking steps to release the movie, prompting him to approach the court.

Noting that there was a prima facie case in favour of the financier, the court was inclined to temporarily stay the release of the film and ordered accordingly.

Counsel for Applicant: Mr. Abudu Kumar Rajaratnam Senior Counsel for Mr.A.B.Rajasekaran

Case Title: S.Chandraprakash Jain v. M/s. GOD Pictures and another

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Mad) 413

Case No: Arbitration Application No.1463 of 2025