Litigation

Naik and Naik has won for Anil Ambani owned Reliance MediaWorks against Ocher Studios, which is promoted by the family of South India film star Rajnikanth, forbidding the studio to create third party rights in the film 'Sultan – The Warrior' under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996.

Reliance MediaWorks had entered into an agreement for the co-production of animated movie Sultan with Ocher Studios.

The dispute arose due to delays in completion of the film project resulting in the termination of the agreement in June 2009. Reliance wanted Ocher to repay the investment of Rs 11.59 crores.

The company had feared that Ocher Studio will create a charge or assign various rights in the film to third parties, which could further defeat enforcement of an award for discharge of monies in favour of Reliance.

Therefore, RMWL filed an application under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 before the Chennai High Court praying for interim injunction.

The application was moved yesterday (17 February) by senior counsel A L Somayaji, instructed by Naik and Naik partner Ameet Naik, winning an interim injunction for Reliance.

Ocher undertook to follow the terms of the order and the Judge suspended the injunction until 8 March 2010 and recorded that the undertaking will operate till then.

Senior counsel P S Raman appeared on behalf of Ochre and the wife and daughter of Rajnikanth.