A major legal battle has erupted in Bollywood as producer Vashu Bhagnani’s banner, Puja Entertainment (India) Ltd, has reportedly filed a Rs 400 crore
lawsuit in the Bombay High Court against Tips Industries Limited, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar S Taurani, and filmmaker David Dhawan over the alleged unauthorised use of songs from the 1999 hit film Biwi No 1 in the upcoming movie Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The film, starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde in lead roles, is scheduled to release in theatres worldwide on 5 June 2026. The dispute revolves around the songs Chunari Chunari and Ishq Sona Hai, which are said to have been used in the Varun Dhawan-starrer without proper authorisation. As per a report in Bollywood Hungama, according to a press statement issued in connection with the case, Puja Entertainment has accused the defendants of unlawfully exploiting the iconic tracks and associated intellectual property despite allegedly lacking any valid license, assignment, or commercial rights to use the original audio-visual content. The report further adds that the suit has been filed through Counsels V K Dubey Associates and seeks urgent interim relief from the court. Among the key demands made by Puja Entertainment are an immediate stay on the release, distribution, exhibition, streaming, and commercial exploitation of the film and its promotional material that contain the disputed songs. The production house has also requested the court to direct the removal of Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai from the film, along with all related promotional campaigns. In a further escalation, Puja Entertainment has demanded that the makers change the title Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, claiming it is linked to the allegedly infringing material and branding associated with the songs. Additionally, the company has sought another Rs 100 crore in damages if the defendants fail to comply with the demands and continue to commercially exploit the disputed works. The production banner argued that the alleged infringement directly impacts the proprietary and commercial rights attached to the original cinematographic works of Biwi No 1, one of the most successful Bollywood films of the late 1990s. As per the official statement, the Bombay High Court has accepted the filing and is expected to hear the matter shortly. Counsel V K Dubey, appearing on behalf of Puja Entertainment, confirmed that the court has agreed to list the matter for hearing soon. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai which will clash with Ram Charan's Peddi and Masters of the Universe on release was watched by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) members, and they have now issued a certificate to the David Dhawan-directed film. The censor board has granted a U/A certificate to Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai ahead of its theatrical release. Moreover, the film’s final approved runtime is 2 hours 16 minutes.
