The Kerala High Court has put a hold on the FIR against Prithviraj over the alleged plagiarism of the song “Varaharoopam” in his film Kantara.

The Kerala High Court has granted a stay on the First Information Report (FIR) lodged against Malayalam actor and producer Prithviraj Sukumaran in relation to the alleged copyright infringement of the song “Varaharoopam” from the Kannada film Kantara. The court’s decision was based on the observation that Prithviraj, as a distributor of the film in Kerala, was being unnecessarily implicated in the case, and that proceedings against him for copyright infringement were unjustified.

In his ruling, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas stated that Prithviraj, as the director of Prithviraj Productions Private Limited, was merely facilitating the distribution of the film and was not involved in its production or the making of its music. The court observed that the role of Prithviraj’s company was limited to distributing the film through theatres after obtaining the distribution rights from the producer. The court also noted that Prithviraj’s company had already ceased distribution of the film on November 4, 2022.

The stay was granted on a petition filed by Prithviraj seeking the quashing of the FIR registered against him at the Kozhikode Town Police Station. The FIR was filed based on a complaint lodged by Mathrubhumi Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd, alleging that the song “Varaharoopam” had been plagiarised from the song “Navarasam”, which had been exhibited on Kappa TV, owned by Mathrubhumi.

The allegation of copyright infringement has sparked a heated debate in the film industry, with many taking sides in the dispute. Prithviraj has denied the allegations, stating that the song was an original composition. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and respecting the creative work of others in the film industry and beyond. Plagiarism is a serious offense that can damage the reputation and career of the accused, and it is essential for artists and creators to give proper credit and recognition to the sources of their inspiration and to avoid using the work of others without permission.

While the case is ongoing, the court’s decision to stay the FIR provides a temporary relief for Prithviraj and his supporters. It remains to be seen how the case will ultimately be resolved, but the ruling highlights the significance of upholding the principles of originality and respect for creative work in all aspects of the arts.

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