JioStar, the broadcasting and streaming venture backed by Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Company, has launched legal action against rival Zee Entertainment Enterprises over alleged unauthorized telecast of Bollywood films for which JioStar claims to hold broadcasting rights.
The latest dispute adds to an already tense legal battle between the two media giants, who are separately involved in a 1 billion dollar arbitration case in London linked to a collapsed cricket rights agreement from 2024.
JioStar accuses Zee of repeated unauthorized broadcasts
According to legal documents reviewed by Reuters, JioStar filed a plea on May 4 before the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee, alleging that Zee aired several Bollywood films last year despite rights allegedly belonging to the Reliance-backed company at the time.
The case appears to follow Zee’s April lawsuit against JioStar in a Delhi court over alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted music owned by Zee.
In its filing, JioStar accused Zee of broadcasting 12 films nearly 20 times without permission. The movies reportedly include titles featuring Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.
JioStar described Zee as a “habitual infringer” in its 120 page submission and alleged the company continued to exploit and telecast films without authorisation.
Mediation process begins
The matter has been taken up by the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee, which handles dispute resolution and mediation efforts before cases move to formal court proceedings.
Documents indicate the committee has directed Zee to appear on May 25. Failure to attend could be treated as refusal to participate in mediation.
Following reports about the case, Zee shares extended losses during trading in Mumbai and fell 3.4 percent.
Both JioStar and Zee declined to comment publicly on the matter.
Rivalry intensifies in India’s media sector
JioStar emerged after the 8.5 billion dollar merger of Reliance and Disney’s Indian media assets in 2024, making it the dominant player in India’s entertainment industry.
The company claims a 34.2 percent share of the country’s television market, while Zee says its own market share has risen to an 18 percent four year high.
The legal fight between the two companies has intensified over the past several months through multiple notices and exchanges beginning in February 2025.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that JioStar could seek more than ₹250 million in damages for alleged infringement of film rights, although the final amount has not yet been determined.
Classic Bollywood films among disputed titles
The disputed movies reportedly include iconic Bollywood titles such as Deewaar starring Amitabh Bachchan and Tridev.
JioStar claims it owns the telecast rights to these films and alleges Zee aired them without proper authorisation.
Zee, however, argued that the broadcasts were accidental and unintentional. The company said it would exercise greater caution in the future but denied liability for the damages being sought.
Another major title at the centre of the dispute is Dangal, the award winning sports drama starring Aamir Khan based on the life of Indian wrestlers.
JioStar alleged that Zee aired the film without permission, while Zee countered that it had obtained valid authorisation from the movie’s production house.
