Ranbir Kapoor and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s blockbuster film, Animal, which garnered over Rs 800 crore at the box office, is set to release on Netflix on January 26, 2024.
However, the anticipated OTT release has hit a legal snag as co-producer Cine1 Studios filed a case against T-Series in Delhi High Court.
Cine1 Studios alleges that T-Series has not fulfilled its financial obligations, specifically regarding Animal’s intellectual property rights. According to the complaint, a contractual agreement stipulated a 35 percent profit share for Cine1 Studios, and they are now demanding a corresponding share in the film’s intellectual property rights. The studio claims a breach in the Acquisition Agreement and seeks a court order to halt Animal’s release on Netflix.
Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing Cine1 Studios, stated, “They (T-Series) have been collecting all the money, but I have not been paid a single penny.”
In response, Super Cassettes Industries Pvt Ltd, another co-producer, contended that Rs 2.6 crore was paid to Cine1 Studios, a fact disputed by Cine1 Studios. The court reviewed documents related to this payment, with Cine1 Studios expressing unawareness and promising to provide further information.
The next hearing on January 18 will see the authorized signatory of Cine1 Studios present, as confirmed by Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi. The legal battle revolves around financial discrepancies, alleged non-disclosure of revenues, and a dispute over intellectual property rights, making Animal’s OTT release uncertain amidst the legal tussle.
