Delhi HC allows Toonpur release with disclaimer

NEW DELHI: Refusing to stay the release of Toonpur Ka Suoerhero, the Delhi High Court said that a disclaimer should be carried to the effect that an animated character in the movie is not a depiction of renowned music composer-cum-singer Bappi Lahiri.

The Court passed the order on a plea by the music composer-singer seeking a stay on the film‘s screening and deletion of the character ‘Guppy‘, saying it resembled to him and wrongly gave the impression that he is part of the movie.
Justice S Ravindra Bhat asked director Kireet Khurana, distributor Eros International Entertainment and producers Big Screen Entertainment and Climb Media to prevent any impression that ‘Guppy‘ is a depiction of Lahiri.

The Court also asked the producers to maintain all accounts of the revenue of the film made with Rs 350 million and directed them to submit before it on a quarterly basis. The filmmakers informed the Court that Rs 80 million has been spent on publicity.

The Court restrained the producer from merchandising and distributing T-shirts, clocks containing the similarity of character ‘Guppy‘ for the film‘s promotion.

The Court was hearing an injunction suit filed by Lahiri alleging that the producers and director did not obtain permission from him before projecting his identity in the film.