Kantara Plagiarism Row: Relief for Rishab Shetty and producer as SC says Varaharoopam doesn't need to be removed

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Kerala HC's condition directing makers of Kantara to not exhibit the film with the song Varaharoopam till a final order in the copyright infringement case.

In an interim relief, the apex court said Kantara producers won't have to remove the song from the film.

Directed and headlined by Rishab Shetty, Kantara became a box office success and collected over Rs 450 crore.

SC relief for producer, director of Kanatra

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala reportedly issued notice to the Kerala government and sought reply in two weeks.

The bench modified one of the conditions of the HC and directed that producer Vijay Kiragandur and director Rishab Shetty be released on bail immediately if arrested.

On February 8, the HC granted anticipatory bail to the director and producer in a case registered in a Kozhikode police station alleging plagiarism in the song. The allegation was that Varaharoopam was an unauthorised copy of the song Navarasam.

Kantara prequel

A few days back, Rishab announced the prequel of Kantara. He said at an event, "We are pleased and thankful to the audience who had shown immense love and support to Kantara and taking the journey ahead, with the blessing of almighty Daiva the film has successfully completed 100 days and I would like to take this opportunity to announce the prequel of Kantara. What you have seen is actually Part 2, Part 1 will come next year."

"The idea has been flashed into my mind while I was shooting for Kantara because the history of Kantara has more depth to it, and currently, if the writing part is concerned we are in the middle of digging into more details. As the research is still progressing, it would be very early to reveal details about the film," Rishab added.

The prequel for Kantara will be produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda, under Hombale Films. The film will feature Rishab Shetty in the lead.

(With PTI inputs)