Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas secures a favourable order dismissing the Special Leave Petition filed before the Supreme Court of India in relation to the reality show “Lockupp”

April 13, 2022

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., acting for Alt Digital Media Entertainment Ltd. has obtained a favourable order from the Supreme Court of India, earlier today, 13 April 2022, in relation to the matter of a reality show called “Lockupp” starring Kangana Ranaut and 16 other celebrities.

On 26 February, 2022, the Telangana High Court allowed an appeal against an ex-parte injunction order restraining the release of the said show that was passed by the City Civil Court, Hyderabad on 23 February, 2022 in an application filed by Pride Media.

The show “Lockupp” was scheduled to be released on 27 February, 2022 and the makers of the show had spent considerable time and effort on marketing with substantial stakes involved. The ex-parte injunction order obtained at the 11th hour had jeopardized the release. However, on account of the High Court allowing the appeal filed on behalf of Alt Digital Media Entertainment Ltd. and vacating the ex-parte injunction, the release of the show went ahead as scheduled.

Being aggrieved by the High Court’s order, Pride Media moved a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court of India in appeal of the High Court’s order setting-aside the ex-parte injunction. Before the Supreme Court, Pride Media, amongst other things, sought a temporary injunction against the webcasting of “Lockupp” while the Petition was decided by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court was not inclined to entertain the Special Leave Petition in view of the fact that the show had already been released on 27 February, 2022 and was well underway. Consequently, the Special Leave Petition was dismissed as withdrawn by Pride Media.

Anuj Berry, Partner led the team along with Chaitanya Safaya, Partner, Aditya Malhotra, Principal Associate and Prateek Yadav, Associate.

Mr. Mukul Rohatgi, Senior Advocate was the senior counsel who appeared on behalf of Alt Digital Media Entertainment Limited.