Queen Forever can go ahead for now: the Bombay High Court has refused Phantom Studios an interim injunction against JioStar, which Phantom wanted on the claim that the film is an unauthorised sequel to Queen.
Mumbai: Phantom Studios asked the Bombay High Court to stop JioStar India from making, releasing or promoting its upcoming film Queen Forever while a suit is pending, and the Court has declined. Phantom claims that the film is an unauthorised sequel to the 2014 film Queen and infringes rights that, it says, it shares jointly with JioStar [Phantom Studios v. JioStar India and Others].
The interim relief was declined by Justice Sandeep Marne on October 14, 2026. The detailed order has not yet come, so the Court’s reasons are not available.
JioStar: an independent film
JioStar denies the allegations. It contends that Queen Forever is an original, standalone project and not a continuation of the 2014 film. It has also argued that Phantom knew of the project from April 2025 and had corresponded with JioStar about it, which, it says, undercuts any claim of urgency. JioStar told the Court that the film is expected to release later this year.
What Phantom says it co-owns
Phantom has sued JioStar India for Rs 250 crore in damages, saying Queen Forever breaches a 2012 co-production agreement and a 2022 deed of novation. As Phantom reads those documents, it and JioStar, formerly Viacom18, are “joint and equal owners of all intellectual property and derivative rights in Queen.”
On that footing, Phantom asked for an interim order barring the defendants from making, releasing or promoting any sequel, remake or adaptation of Queen, Queen Forever included, without its written consent until the suit is decided, and for permanent injunctions to the same effect. These are Phantom’s claims and have not been decided on merits.
Not the first refusal
Phantom had already been turned away once. When the suit was first mentioned in July 2026, Justice Gauri Godse declined urgent ad-interim relief. Phantom had asked for orders restraining JioStar from creating third-party rights in the film, distribution deals among them, and had relied on an Instagram post by actor Kangana Ranaut announcing that shooting was complete. Justice Gauri Godse questioned the urgency and indicated that orders would be considered only after JioStar filed its reply. The Court allowed Phantom to amend its plea to bring the post on record and listed the matter for August 4, 2026.
Queen, released in 2014 and directed by Vikas Bahl, starred Kangana Ranaut as a young woman who sets off alone on her honeymoon after her wedding is called off. It was a commercial and critical success. The fight over Queen Forever turns on whether the new film draws on the original’s characters and story, which Phantom says are jointly owned, or is an independent work, as JioStar maintains.
Where the suit goes from here
With interim relief refused, JioStar may proceed with the film while the suit continues. Phantom’s claim for Rs 250 crore in damages and its prayer for a permanent injunction will be decided at trial, and the Court’s reasoned order is awaited.
Case Title: Phantom Studios v. JioStar India and Others
Case No.: Not reported
Bench: Justice Sandeep Marne
Date: October 14, 2026
Appearances: Advocates Shyam Kapadia and Rohan Dakshini, briefed by Rashmikant and Partners, for Phantom Studios; Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam with Advocates Rashmin Khandekar, Ameet Naik, Madhu Gadodia, Anand Mohan, Unnati Gambani and Fatima, from Naik Naik and Co., for JioStar India