Dharma Productions moves Bombay High Court over contract dispute with Dubai-based banner - Reports
Dharma Productions, owned by filmmaker Karan Johar, has gone to the Bombay High Court. The company has filed a case against Dubai-based Humble Motion Pictures FZCO. The reason is the alleged wrongful termination of a services contract for the upcoming Punjabi film ‘Viyaah Kartaare Da’. Karan Johar’s banner has asked the court for urgent protection until arbitration takes place.
Details of the December 2025 agreement
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the two companies signed an agreement on December 10, 2025. Under this agreement, Karan Johar’s banner was to provide consultancy, marketing and other related services for the movie. In this deal, Dharma was set to recover losses of around Rs 7.25 crore that it alleged it suffered for an earlier jointly backed film by both companies. The production house said it did not have to pay for producing the Punjabi film. Instead, it was to get a fixed revenue share until it recovered Rs 7.03 crores.
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Revenue-sharing model explained
Dharma said that after it promoted the film on its official social media, Humble Motion Pictures sent an email on January 21, 2026, suddenly ending the services agreement. The stated reason was that Humble no longer wanted Dharma’s services. Dharma argued that the contract does not allow termination at will. The company also said that Humble did not claim any breach of contract by Dharma. According to the plea, Humble had already benefited from Dharma’s brand and promotion before ending the deal.
Dharma Productions has asked the court to stop Humble from acting on the termination email. The company also wants Humble to pay or deposit 50% of extra revenue from cinema collections and other sources. It has asked for detailed financial accounts and requested the court to direct Humble to deposit Rs 7.03 crores. The court will hear the matter again on February 18 to decide on these interim reliefs.
Details of the December 2025 agreement
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the two companies signed an agreement on December 10, 2025. Under this agreement, Karan Johar’s banner was to provide consultancy, marketing and other related services for the movie. In this deal, Dharma was set to recover losses of around Rs 7.25 crore that it alleged it suffered for an earlier jointly backed film by both companies. The production house said it did not have to pay for producing the Punjabi film. Instead, it was to get a fixed revenue share until it recovered Rs 7.03 crores.
Video
Revenue-sharing model explained
Dharma said that after it promoted the film on its official social media, Humble Motion Pictures sent an email on January 21, 2026, suddenly ending the services agreement. The stated reason was that Humble no longer wanted Dharma’s services. Dharma argued that the contract does not allow termination at will. The company also said that Humble did not claim any breach of contract by Dharma. According to the plea, Humble had already benefited from Dharma’s brand and promotion before ending the deal.
Dharma Productions has asked the court to stop Humble from acting on the termination email. The company also wants Humble to pay or deposit 50% of extra revenue from cinema collections and other sources. It has asked for detailed financial accounts and requested the court to direct Humble to deposit Rs 7.03 crores. The court will hear the matter again on February 18 to decide on these interim reliefs.
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