Delhi HC refuses to stay release of the film based on Sushant Singh Rajput

Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to stay the release of film ‘Nyay: The Justice’, which is allegedly based on the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Justice Sanjeev Narula dismissed the plea filed by Sushant’s father, KK Singh, who sought a stay on several films being made on the late actor’s life. Some of the upcoming or proposed movie projects mentioned in the plea include ‘Nyay: The Justice’, ‘Suicide or Murder: A star was lost’, ‘Shashank’ and an unnamed crowd-funded film. According to the suit, filed through advocates Akshay Dev, Varun Singh, Abhijeet Pandey and Samruddhi Bendbhar, ‘Nyay’ is scheduled to be released in June, while shooting has commenced with regard to ‘Suicide or Murder: A star was lost’ and ‘Shashank’. “The defendants (filmmakers), taking advantage of this situation, have been trying to encash this opportunity for ulterior motives. Thus, Plaintiff (Singh) has apprehension that various plays, movies, web-series, books, interviews or other material may be published which would harm the reputation of the son of the plaintiff and his family,” claimed the suit which has sought damages of over Rs 2 crores from the filmmakers for “loss of reputation, mental trauma and harassment” to Rajput’s family.

It has also claimed that in case a “movie, web-series, book or any other content of similar nature is allowed to be published or broadcasted, it would affect the right of the victim and deceased for a free and fair trial as it may cause prejudice to them”. The suit has also contended that Sushant being a well-known celebrity, “any misuse of his name/ image/ caricature/ style of delivering dialogues also amounts to infringement of the personality right vested with the plaintiff besides amounting to acts of passing off”. “The said right would be available to the plaintiff after his son’s death as he is the only legal heir of Sushant Singh Rajput,” it has further contended. Sushant Singh Rajput, was found dead at his Mumbai apartment on June 14. The actor's death case is currently investigated by CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and the Narcotics Control Bureau. Last month the Narcotics Bureau, which is probing alleged links between drug smuggling and the film industry, arrested Sushant Rajput's roommate - Siddharth Pithani - who was among four people present at the actor's home when he was found dead. So far, 34 people including Sushant Rajput's girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, and her brother Showik have been charged in the drugs case that emerged as part of the investigations.