Mumbai Court Bars KRK From Posting Defamatory Content Against Vashu Bhagnani

A civil court in Mumbai has issued an interim order stopping actor and film reviewer Kamal Rashid Khan (KRK) from circulating defamatory material against producer Vashu Bhagnani. The judge observed that

KRK cannot rely on the freedom of speech argument to harm another person’s reputation in the name of a review.

The dispute dates back to 2021, when Bhagnani approached the court alleging that KRK had launched “a well-orchestrated smear campaign” through social media posts and YouTube videos. The filmmaker claimed the remarks were “grossly defamatory, slanderous, and distasteful”, and urged the court to impose restrictions until his defamation suit is resolved.

Civil judge Amit A. Laulkar directed KRK to remove the content identified as defamatory in the petition. The judge, however, refused to insist on an unconditional apology at this stage, noting that such directions are generally issued only after a detailed trial.

While addressing the limits of free speech, the court stated that “the right to speech of one person should not cause breach of the right of privacy and public image of another person”. The judge also stressed that KRK should have adhered to self-restraint when expressing opinions publicly.

Bhagnani submitted that he was “pained and perturbed” after learning that the critic had targeted him “without any due cause whatsoever”. KRK countered the allegations, calling the case “frivolous” and based on “distorted facts”. He said his remarks were part of his work as a reviewer and trade analyst, and denied making personal attacks.

After reviewing submissions from both parties, the court noted that Bhagnani’s privacy appeared to have been affected by KRK’s tweets and statements. It remarked, “The goodwill and reputation of the plaintiff is at stake, and the defendant has no absolute right to damage the same by expressing his personal opinions in the public domain under the guise of review.” The court added, “Certainly, there is every reason to regulate such an act till the final adjudication of the suit,” concluding that ongoing posts could cause “grave loss, mental agony to the plaintiff”.

Bhagnani, 64, is known for backing several successful Hindi films over three decades, including Coolie No. 1, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. His banner Pooja Entertainment has recently suffered consecutive box office disappointments, including Ganapath and the 2024 version of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.