The Telugu-language film Khiladi, starring Ravi Teja, released in theatres on February 11, 2022. The film appears to have landed in legal trouble days after its release, owing to its title.
The title of the film turns out to be the same as the super-hit Hindi blockbuster starring Akshay Kumar from 1992. Ratan Jain, the producer of the Bollywood film, has now launched a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court, alleging that the title Khiladi was used without his permission.
In an interaction with a media firm Ratan Jain of Venus Records & Tapes said that they have filed the case on both parties - the presenter and the producer.
According to the article, Jain has argued that not only the Hindi but even the Telugu versions cannot have the same time. "We have the trademark registration for Khiladi,"he explained. "The trademark is well-known throughout India. In the entertainment sector, no one can simply use the title Khiladi. Sabse Bada Khiladi, Khatron Ke Khiladi, and similar titles are acceptable. Khiladi, on the other hand, is my trademark."
The action film was presented in Hindi by Jayantilal Gada for the uninitiated.
Jain, however, added that he is not looking for a compensation, but rather wants to set a precedent. "Pehli baat toh yeh South ke log Hindi film ka title rakhte kyun hai? The reason behind this is that they want somebody to buy their dubbing rights and release the same film in Hindi. This is wrong. Aap Telugu title rakho na apni film ka," he stated.