The Delhi High Court has issued summons to Super Cassettes and Netflix on a plea by Cine 1 Studios, a co-producer of Bollywood film ‘Animal’, seeking to restrain the release of the movie on digital streaming platforms and its satellite broadcast.

The movie, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Ranbir Kapoor, was released in theatres on December 1, 2023, and is set to be released on Netflix on January 26, PTI reported.

The high court issued summons to Super Cassettes Industries Pvt Ltd, a co-producer of the film, and Cluver Max Entertainment Pvt Ltd (formerly known as Sony Pictures Networks Ltd) with whom an agreement was signed for granting of satellite rights to the film.

Justice Sanjeev Narula said the three defendants shall also file affidavits of admission or denial of the documents produced by the plaintiff, without which their written statements will not be taken on record.

“Thus, let the plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons,” the high court said in its order passed on Thursday. While Cine 1 Studios Pvt Ltd claimed a breach of agreement and said it was not paid a single penny, Super Cassettes contended Rs 2.6 crore was paid to the plaintiff which it did not disclose to the court.

However, Cine 1’s counsel argued that the document shown in this regard was allegedly “ex-facie forged and fabricated”. The high court listed the matter before the Joint Registrar for completion of pleadings and marking of exhibits on March 15 and made clear that any party unjustifiably denying documents would be liable to be burdened with costs.

Regarding the plaintiff’s interim plea seeking a stay of the release of the movie on OTT platforms, digital and satellite platforms, the high court asked the defendants to file their replies on January 20 and listed it for hearing submissions on January 22. Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing Cine 1 Studios, has said the plaintiff did not get any information about the revenue the film earned, its collection at the box office, the music, satellite or internet rights.