The Delhi high court recently granted Amazon Prime Video relief and restrained Malayalam film actor and producer Mohanlal’s company, Aashirvad Cinemas, from entering into any agreement with any other party for creating OTT rights of the third film in the Drishyam franchise, Drishyam 3.
Amazon Prime moved the court seeking protection of its commercial rights over the Malayalam film against breach of a video licence agreement by Aashirvad Cinemas. The petition cited a 2020 agreement for exclusive rights to future franchise instalments. Amazon argued that a 2020 Master Video Licence Agreement gave them the right to match any third-party offer for the film. Amazon told the court that it received notice of a third-party offer on March 3, 2026. It exercised its contractual right to match that offer within the stipulated period. The parties then entered negotiations and exchanged draft terms. However, Aashirvad Cinemas later sent Amazon an email stating that negotiations had failed and that it would proceed with alternative offers.
The petition was filed under section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act after negotiations between the producers and Amazon broke down. It warned that creation of third-party rights would cause irreversible harm and disrupt its contractual entitlements. It also issued public notices asserting its rights and cautioning industry stakeholders.
Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar said that interim relief aimed to preserve the subject matter of arbitration and prevent frustration of proceedings. The court passed an ex parte ad interim injunction. It said, “The principles for grant of interim relief are (i) good prima facie case, (ii) balance of convenience in favour of grant of interim relief, and (iii) irreparable injury or loss to the applicant for interim relief.” The court found that Amazon established all the three requirements. It observed that allowing third-party rights at this stage could irreversibly alter the commercial landscape and prejudice Amazon’s position. Therefore, the court passed an ex parte ad interim injunction.
The dispute has thrown the digital rights deal into a state of flux, halting Aashirvad Cinemas’ plans to sell the rights to another entity. The court has asked the respondents (Aashirvad Cinemas) to file their reply as the matter is pending further hearings.
The restraint covers the original Malayalam version as well as dubbed versions and any remake.
Starring Mohanlal and directed by Jeethu Joseph, the film is slated for release on May 21, 2026.
