Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has addressed the substantial Rs 84 crore lawsuit filed against him and his production company, Colour Yellow Media Entertainment LLP, by Eros International Media Ltd. The lawsuit alleges unauthorised use of intellectual property linked to his 2013 acclaimed film, Raanjhanaa, particularly in the promotion of his upcoming film, Tere Ishk Mein.
Aanand L Rai's Reaction to the Lawsuit Reacting to the serious legal action, Aanand L Rai largely dismissed the dispute as a routine business matter, expressing surprise at its public nature. Speaking to NDTV, he stated, "These are part of life. When you step into business, such things keep happening. I don't even know why, how, or from where this has come. But I think it is a legal matter, so let the legal people handle it... it's not something to be taken too seriously. It's more for the lawyers to deal with. Since it's a legal matter, I won't speak much about it, but it's nothing serious."
Eros International's Allegations
Eros International Media Ltd has accused Aanand L Rai and Colour Yellow Media Entertainment LLP of misusing elements associated with Raanjhanaa during the promotional campaign for Tere Ishk Mein, which is scheduled for release in November 2025. The company asserts that it holds exclusive rights to all intellectual property related to Raanjhanaa, including:
• Copyrights
• Registered trademarks
• Characters
• Dialogues
• Sequel and remake rights
According to Eros, these protected elements were unlawfully exploited to create an impression of a creative or narrative connection between the two films. The dispute reportedly intensified following a teaser released in July 2025, which, according to Eros, featured phrases, visual cues, background score elements, and references strongly pointing towards the fictional universe of Raanjhanaa.
Key Points of Contention in the Lawsuit
Central to Eros's legal argument are perceived similarities between the films and their promotional strategies:
• Character Parallels: Eros claims that Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub’s character in Tere Ishk Mein strikingly resembles his role as Murari in Raanjhanaa, both in temperament and narrative function. Similarly, Dhanush’s character in the new film is alleged to follow an emotional arc akin to Kundan Shankar from Raanjhanaa, reinforcing a sense of continuity.
• 'Spiritual Sequel' Claims: Despite receiving a cease-and-desist notice in July 2025 and subsequent reminders, Eros alleges that the marketing campaign for Tere Ishk Mein continued to position it as a “spiritual sequel” to Raanjhanaa.
Damages Sought and Current Status Following the film's release, Eros International has sought a hefty Rs 84 crore in damages, citing copyright infringement, trademark violation, and passing off. The lawsuit names several key defendants, including Aanand L Rai, Colour Yellow Media Entertainment LLP, writer Himanshu Sharma, Super Cassettes Industries (T-Series), and Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP. The matter is currently under review by the Bombay High Court.
