After Toxic, The Paradise makers get injunction against alleged defamatory content

A Bengaluru court has restrained the circulation of allegedly false and defamatory content concerning Nani-starrer The Paradise, days before its worldwide theatrical release on September 24. The ex-parte ad interim injunction was passed on September 19 by the Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru, following a plea by the film's producer, Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Cinemas LLP.

As per a Live Law report, the producer approached the court seeking a permanent and mandatory injunction against the defendants, along with interim relief. The plea argued that substantial investments had been made in the production, marketing and distribution of the film.

According to the producer's submissions, several posts, comments and URLs containing allegedly false and derogatory material began circulating on social media after the film's official teaser was released on August 6. The producer contended that the material went beyond fair criticism and amounted to targeted commercial defamation that could hurt the film's business ahead of its theatrical release.

With The Paradise only days away from hitting theatres, the producer argued that continued circulation of the material could result in irreversible financial losses. It also sought to dispense with prior notice to the defendants, stating that advance notice could allow unidentified entities to remove, alter or further circulate the allegedly defamatory URLs.

After examining the submissions and documents placed before it, the court held that the producer had established a prima facie case. The court observed that the material appeared to go beyond standard artistic evaluation and was seemingly aimed at diminishing the commercial value of the production.

The court also noted that unrestricted viral dissemination of the material immediately before the film's release could cause unquantifiable and irreversible economic and reputational damage. It consequently held that the balance of convenience favoured the producer.

The court restrained the defendants, their officers, agents and persons acting through them from hosting, publishing, transmitting, reproducing or making available the allegedly false and defamatory content specifically identified in the schedule to the plaint.

The development comes weeks after Yash-starrer Toxic received a similar ex-parte injunction from a Bengaluru court ahead of its August 26 release. In that case, KVN Productions had sought protection against the publication and circulation of allegedly false, malicious, defamatory or derogatory content concerning the film. The order was to remain in force until September 28.

However, the order does not bar genuine reviews or bona fide criticism of The Paradise. The injunction is limited to the specific URLs and content identified in the producer's case.

The interim order is also not in force until the film's release. It will remain effective only until the next date of hearing. The producer has been directed to comply with the requirements and provide the defendants with copies of the plaint, supporting documents, application and court order.

The matter is listed for hearing on October 28, 2026.

The Paradise, directed by Srikanth Odela and starring Nani in the lead, is scheduled to release worldwide on September 24.- EndsPublished By: K JananiPublished On: Sep 22, 2026 10:22 ISTALSO READ | Nani's The Paradise crosses Rs 7 crore in advance sales across 72,000 tickets