Just weeks after the announcement of ‘Detective Ujjwalan’, the Ernakulam District Court has issued a stay order on the production of films, graphic novel merchandise, and other spin-off projects with the characters from the Malayalam superhero film Minnal Murali. The decision is an outcome of a copyright violation complaint filed by the scriptwriters of the movie, Arun AR and Justin Mathew.
According to a report by the Bar and Bench website, the court has ordered that Weekend Blockbusters Pvt. Ltd, Netflix India, Amar Chitra Katha, Spirit Media and producer Sophia Paul cannot create, distribute or exploit any material by using the characters of ‘Minnal Murali’ including main characters Brucelee Biji, Josemon, PC Siby Pothan, SI Sajan, PC Shinoj and the villain Shibu.
The issue between the scriptwriters and the film's producers over ownership of characters and storyline forms the backbone of the lawsuit. The complainants in the case, Arun AR and Justin Mathew, point to the fact that the film's concept was born out of their efforts at developing the characters and the story, revolving around Jaison, a tailor who gains superpowers after being struck by lightning and becomes Minnal Murali. They say that while producer Sophia Paul had expressed interest in their project, she did not appear to commit strongly to the production of it at the time they created the characters.
The court-issued injunction could remain in effect for quite some time hence, possibly affecting any future plans regarding the Minnal Murali universe, such as a sequel or spin-off.
Meanwhile, it was recently the makers announced the Dhyan Sreenivasan starrer 'Detective Ujjwalan' which comes under the universe of 'Minnal Murali'. With these legal issues, it remains to be seen whether it will affect the Dhyan Sreenivasan starrer.
Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the
latest Hindi movies,
upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and
Telugu movies.”
The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of jou...
Read MoreThe TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment