The Bombay High Court has refused to stay the production and release of Queen Forever, the upcoming sequel to Kangana Ranaut’s 2014 hit Queen. On Wednesday, Justice Sandeep Marne declined interim relief sought by Phantom Studios India Pvt Ltd in its legal dispute with Jiostar India Pvt Ltd, allowing work on the film to continue for now.
Bombay High Court declines interim injunction
According to a Hindustan Times report, a single-judge bench led by Justice Sandeep Marne rejected Phantom Studios’ plea for a temporary injunction against Jiostar, which is producing Queen Forever. Phantom Studios, a co-producer of the original film, argued that Queen had earned critical acclaim, performed well commercially and built considerable goodwill over the years.The studio also pointed out that the proposed sequel features Kangana Ranaut, who headlined the original film. Phantom Studios has challenged the project on the grounds that it cannot proceed without its consent.
Phantom Studios claims equal ownership of ‘Queen’ intellectual property
In its lawsuit, Phantom Studios maintained that it and Jiostar jointly own equal, 50 per cent shares in the intellectual property rights associated with Queen. The studio cited their co-production agreement, arguing that the contract grants both parties equal rights over derivative works based on the film.These rights, according to Phantom Studios, extend to sequels, prequels, remakes and other adaptations involving the original film’s story, characters or underlying material. The studio contended that developing Queen Forever without its approval would violate the terms of the agreement.
Studio says it sent multiple notices to Jiostar since April 2026
Phantom Studios claimed that it had never given its consent for a sequel, remake, adaptation or any other derivative work based on Queen. It further stated that it had sent multiple caution notices to Jiostar since April 2026, asking the company to halt plans for a sequel or any project associated with the original film.According to the studio, Jiostar did not provide details of the proposed project despite these communications. Phantom Studios subsequently approached the High Court, seeking urgent intervention to prevent the film from progressing without its written approval.
What Phantom Studios wanted the court to restrain
Emphasising the urgency of the matter, Phantom Studios argued that the film was reportedly scheduled for release in the coming months. It sought an order restraining Jiostar, the producer and their representatives from making, developing, producing, shooting, completing, releasing, distributing, broadcasting, streaming, marketing, promoting, advertising or otherwise exploiting a sequel, prequel, remake, adaptation or derivative work under the titles Queen Forever or Queen 2 without its prior written consent.However, the High Court declined to grant the requested interim injunction at this stage.
More about ‘Queen Forever’
‘Queen Forever’ is the upcoming official sequel to the critically acclaimed 2014 comedy-drama ‘Queen’, starring Kangana Ranaut as she reprises her iconic role as Rani Mehra. The film reunites Kangana with director Vikas Bahl.Disclaimer: The information in this report is based on a legal hearing as reported by a third-party source. The details provided represent allegations made by the parties involved and are not proven facts. The case is ongoing, and a final verdict has not been reached.