The Madras high court on December 3 passed an order injuncting the release of Akhanda 2, in an appeal preferred by Eros International. The appeal by Eros was in connection with its long-standing arbitral award against 14 Reels Plus LLP, a group entity of 14 Reels Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
According to the arbitration award, Eros has to receive approximately Rs. 28 crore from 14 Reels Plus LLP. Eros informed the court that 14 Reels Plus LLP was attempting to release Akhanda 2 without paying the money owed to it (Eros). This, as per Eros, was an indirect attempt to flout the arbitral award and avoid compliance with legally determined financial obligations.
The order, dated December 3, of the Madras high court was issued by a division bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and C. Kumarappan. The appeal was filed by Eros, challenging the order passed by a single judge of the Madras high court on October 30, 2025, wherein the applications filed by Eros under section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking for post-award interim measures were dismissed on the ground of maintainability.
After hearing both the sides, the division bench was pleased to grant an injunction restraining the release of Akhanda 2. It set aside the order dated October 30, 2025 and remanded the matter back to the single judge for consideration on merits. The division bench also granted an injunction restraining 14 Reels Plus LLP and 14 Reels Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. from releasing, distributing, exhibiting, broadcasting, streaming or commercially exploiting the film in any manner whatsoever until full and complete payment of the arbitral award amount of Rs. 27.80 crore along with interest at 14% per annum from the date of the award (July 23, 2019) till the date of actual payment to Eros is made.
