Kartik Aaryan’s ‘Tu Meri…’ Faces ₹10-Crore Copyright Lawsuit Over ‘Saat Samundar Paar’ Song Use
The upcoming Bollywood romantic comedy Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, is embroiled in a major copyright controversy just days before its scheduled release on December 25, 2025. A legal battle over the use of the classic song Saat Samundar Paar has grabbed headlines, raising questions about rights, remixes, and the responsibilities of big-budget film productions in today’s music licensing landscape.
In this article, we unpack what the lawsuit entails, why it matters, and what the future might hold for this high-profile cinematic release.
Why the Copyright Lawsuit Against Kartik Aryan’s Film Matters
A prominent legal dispute has emerged in the Bombay High Court, where Trimurti Films Pvt. Ltd. — the original producer of the 1992 hit film Vishwatma — has filed a copyright infringement suit against the producers of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri.
The core of the allegation is that the new film has used elements of the song Saat Samundar Paar — one of the most iconic tracks from 1990s Bollywood — without proper authorisation. Trimurti Films claims the song’s distinctive tune, beats, and melody were incorporated without their consent, and that the defendants breached copyright law and moral rights in doing so.
The lawsuit names several major entities involved in the film’s creation and music production, including Dharma Productions, Namah Pictures, Saregama India Ltd., and rapper-composer Badshah.
Key Demands in the Lawsuit
The plaintiff has laid out several significant demands in the legal action:
1. ₹10 Crore in Damages
Trimurti Films is seeking ₹10 crore in compensation for the alleged unauthorised use of Saat Samundar Paar. This amount reflects both economic damages and reputational harm claimed due to the alleged infringement.
2. Permanent Injunction
The company has also petitioned the court for a permanent injunction — a legal order to prohibit the use of the song’s tune, lyrics, or remixed elements in the film or any other future projects unless formal licensing is secured.
3. Interim Relief from Further Exploitation
Trimurti Films has asked the court to issue ad-interim and interim injunctions to stop further promotional or cinematic use of the song while the case is pending, emphasizing that continued use would cause irreparable harm.
4. Disclosure and Profit Accounts
The suit also seeks complete disclosure of all licensing agreements related to the song’s use, and, as an alternative remedy, an account of profits earned from the alleged misuse.
What Is ‘Saat Samundar Paar’ and Its Legal Significance?
Saat Samundar Paar originally appeared in the 1992 film Vishwatma, produced by Trimurti Films. The musical track became immensely popular for its melody and remains one of the most recognisable songs from that era of Bollywood.
According to the lawsuit, the music label Saregama may hold certain distribution or mechanical rights to the song. However, Trimurti Films asserts that those rights do not extend to film synchronisation or remix licensing in new cinematic content — which is the basis for claiming that the defendants misrepresented their authority to license the song.
If the court finds that synchronisation or remix rights were not legally obtained, it could set a precedent impacting how classic songs are repurposed in modern Bollywood projects.
Kartik Aryan’s Film Under Spotlight
For Kartik Aaryan, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri was poised to be one of the biggest holiday releases of the year. His pairing with Ananya Panday under the banner of Dharma Productions, led by industry veteran Karan Johar, generated significant buzz ahead of release.
However, the lawsuit has shifted some attention from the film’s box office potential to its legal hurdles. For a mainstream actor like Kartik Aryan — one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars — being associated with a high-profile copyright case adds extra scrutiny.
While the film’s makers have not issued an official public response to the lawsuit yet, the matter will be heard next in court on December 22, 2025, just days before the film’s planned theatrical release.
Industry Context: Copyright and Bollywood’s Remix Trend
This lawsuit reflects a growing trend in Indian cinema, where classic songs are reimagined in new films to evoke nostalgia and connect with audiences. Over recent years, Bollywood has increasingly relied on remixes or reuses of older tracks — a practice that has led to multiple legal disputes as rights holders assert their copyrights.
Music rights in India are complex, as they can be divided into:
- Mechanical rights (for sound recording distribution),
- Synchronization rights (for using music with visual media),
- Performance rights (for live shows or broadcasts),
- Moral rights (protecting reputation and authorial integrity).
When rights are not clearly secured across all these categories, disputes like the one involving Kartik Aaryan and the makers of Tu Meri… can quickly escalate into litigation.
Given the economic value of iconic Bollywood songs in promotions and soundtracks, such lawsuits can influence how future projects approach music licensing and contracts.
What Happens Next?
The legal proceedings will unfold in the Bombay High Court, where Trimurti Films has filed its petition. The next hearing is scheduled for December 22, 2025, and both sides may present arguments on whether the song’s use constituted copyright infringement and whether interim relief is justified given the film’s imminent release.
If the court grants an injunction, it could impact the *film’s promotional campaign or even delay release elements tied to the soundtrack. However, if proper rights are established or negotiated ahead of time, the parties could seek an out-of-court settlement.
Final Thoughts
The copyright lawsuit against Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri highlights how music rights remain a critical and often contentious part of film production — even for high-profile projects featuring stars like Kartik Aaryan.
With ₹10 crore in damages and a permanent injunction at stake, this case could influence how Bollywood handles classic songs and remixes in the future. Filmmakers may need to adopt more rigorous licensing practices to avoid legal pitfalls, ensuring that creative homage does not cross the line into infringement.
As the December 22 court date approaches, audiences and industry watchers alike will be closely following how this high-stakes legal drama unfolds.
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