TMMTMTTM: Why Saat Samundar Makers Demand Rs 10 Crore In Damages, Stay On Release Of Kartik-Ananya Film | Explained

Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri is releasing in less than a week. Amid the pre-release buzz and excitement for the romantic comedy, Trimurti Films Pvt Ltd has levelled infringement allegations on Dharma Productions, Namah Pictures Pvt Ltd, Saregama India Ltd and Aditya Prateek Singh, popularly known as Badshah. In the case registered as Trimurti Films v. Dharma Productions & Ors, the production house accused the makers of the film of violating copyright rules over the song Saat Samundar Paar from the 1992 film, Vishwatma. According to a report, Trimurti sought damages of Rs 10 crore and a permanent injunction to restrain the use of the song, including its tune and lyrics, for any exploitation or remix in the film.

Trimurti Films Pvt Ltd sue makers of TMMTMTTM

As per Bar And Bench’s report, the suit filed by Trimurti, named Dharma Productions, Namah Pictures Pvt Ltd, music label Saregama India Ltd and Badshah as defendants. Single-judge Justice Sharmila Deshmukh heard the complainant and informed that Dharma and Saregama filed their replies in the case. Trimurti is listed as the first owner of the copyright of Vishwatma and its songs, including Saat Samundar Paar. Owing to this, all rights are reserved with Trimurti, including that to incorporate the song or any part of it in any cinematograph film. As per the report, in a 1990 agreement with Saregama’s predecessor, The Gramophone Company of India Ltd, only assigned rights limited to reproduction and distribution of existing, original audio work.The plaint filed by Trimurti stated, “The agreement did not confer any right to grant the said song a new identity or character by embedding it within a different cinematograph film, nor to alter, modify or adapt the original work in a manner that results in its transformation or recontextualisation. Any such use amounts to an unauthorised alteration and distortion of the original work undertaken without the consent of the authors of the underlying works.”Advocates Rashmi Singh and Karan Khiani, who were representing Trimurti in court, highlighted that the makers of the film were “remixing” the song without a licence or authorisation. They said, “Such misrepresentation has been done deliberately so as to ride upon the reputation and goodwill of Trimurti. Such wrongful actions amount to tort of passing off and unfair trade practices and are actionable as a civil wrong.”

Stay on TMMTMTTM release

Besides damages and injunction, the production house has demanded a stay on Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’s Christmas 2025 release, exhibition, communication or broadcast on the grounds of an alleged infringing song. While seeking Rs 10 crores in damages, the production house urged for a decree for rendition of accounts and payment of profits earned from the song.

Rajiv Rai reacts

According to the report, the matter will be heard again on December 22. Rajiv Rai, the director of Vishwatma, reacted to the use of Saat Samundar Paar in the teaser. In an interview with Mid-Day, he said, "Saat Samundar’s beats are not there in the latest teaser of Tu Meri… that was released. I’m not sure if it’s used in the movie. [Regardless] they can’t use the beats like this, especially when nobody asked my permission to use them. It’s a bad trend where [filmmakers] are using [old] songs and claiming that they are taking [the rights] from the music company."The filmmaker added, "What has happened here is that Saregama thinks it owns the music of Vishwatma. The label can use the songs [for TV shows and stage performances], but it cannot take the music from my film and put it in another movie. They must approach me for my permission, pay me for it, and everything needs to be documented legally.”

About Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri

Presented by Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, and Bhumika Tewari. The film follows the story of Ray and Rumi, who first meet at a bookstore. The latter dislikes his attitude. However, they’re destined to meet again on a flight to Croatia. Unwillingly, Ray and Rumi have to spend their vacation together on the same boat. His cheesy flirting and her mature take on romance blend to make a recipe worth trying.