JioStar has officially responded to the significant Rs 250 crore lawsuit filed by Phantom Studios concerning the upcoming film, 'Queen 2'. The production house vehemently denies all allegations that the Kangana Ranaut-starrer infringes upon the intellectual property rights of the critically acclaimed 2014 hit, *Queen*. JioStar maintains that its new project is an original, independent story, distinct from any prior work.
JioStar's Stance: An Original, Independent Project Days after Phantom Studios approached the Bombay High Court claiming unauthorized use of the 'Queen' intellectual property, JioStar issued a statement clarifying its position. The company emphasized that its collaboration with Kangana Ranaut is for a fresh production that is entirely original.
• No Creative Link: JioStar confirmed the film has “no narrative, character or creative connection to any prior work, and is neither a sequel nor a prequel to any existing title.”
• Denial of Infringement: The production house firmly rejected Phantom Studios' allegations, asserting the independent nature of 'Queen 2'.
The 'Queen' Title: A Common Noun Defense Addressing Phantom Studios' objections regarding the title itself, JioStar argued that the word 'Queen' cannot be exclusively owned. They stated:
• “The word 'Queen' is a part of the English language. No party can claim exclusive ownership over a common noun, and any such claim has no basis in law.”
• JioStar confirmed its awareness of the litigation and expressed full confidence in the merits of its case, indicating an intent to defend its position through the appropriate legal process.
Phantom Studios' Allegations and Background Phantom Studios has claimed ownership of 50 percent of the original *Queen*'s intellectual property rights and alleged that no permission was granted for any sequel or derivative work. The original *Queen*, released in 2014, garnered widespread critical acclaim and secured two National Film Awards, including Best Actress for Kangana Ranaut. The film was a joint production of Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Phantom Films. Though Phantom Films dissolved in 2018, it was revived as Phantom Studios in 2021, leading to the current legal challenge over *Queen 2*.
Kangana Ranaut and Vikas Bahl Reunite for Queen 2 Adding an interesting dimension to the ongoing legal dispute, 'Queen 2' reunites Kangana Ranaut with director Vikas Bahl, who famously helmed the original 2014 success. The new project reportedly commenced production earlier this year and has now moved into its post-production phase. As the legal battle unfolds, the film industry eagerly watches the proceedings surrounding this high-profile intellectual property dispute.
