The legal battle over one of Bollywood’s most familiar dance tracks has intensified. Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment has secured interim protection in its dispute with Tips Music over the alleged unauthorised recreation and exploitation of Chunari Chunari, the chartbuster from the 1999 film Biwi No.1.
The dispute is linked to Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, David Dhawan’s upcoming theatrical comedy starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. Pooja Entertainment has claimed the track was recreated without permission, while Tips Music has asserted its rights.
Court Grants Interim Protection To Pooja Entertainment
The Court of Civil Judge, Senior Division I, Katihar, has directed the parties to maintain status quo in the matter. The proceedings cover music rights, songs and film related intellectual property connected to multiple Pooja Entertainment titles, including Biwi No.1 and Coolie No. 1.
Responding to Tips Music’s stand, a lawyer representing Bhagnani said, “I believe they have not gone through the court order carefully. The order clearly states that the entire music rights, songs, and films mentioned in the plaintiff’s suit are covered under the ‘status quo’ order,”
The legal team also indicated that those associated with the film may have to respond before the court. The statement added, “Certainly, all actors, director David Dhawan, producers, technicians, and every other person involved in the matter will have to appear before the Court and submit their reply; otherwise, they may be liable to face contempt of court proceedings.”
Tips Music Maintains Its Ownership Claim
Tips Music has strongly denied Pooja Entertainment’s allegations. In its statement, the company said, “Tips has openly and legitimately exploited these rights for nearly three decades in full compliance with applicable laws. The claims made by PEIL are strongly disputed and appear to be malicious, misconceived and intended to tarnish the reputation of goodwill of Tips. Tips remains fully confident in defending its rights before the appropriate courts and shall take all necessary legal steps to protect its interests and ownership of rights.”
For Pooja Entertainment, the interim order is being presented as a wider producer rights moment. Bhagnani’s legal team said, “Certainly, this is a victory for all producers, and they must come together to assert and protect their rights. Music companies have been earning enormous revenues from the open market based on investments and rights originally belonging to producers, and therefore producers have every right to raise their claims. This interim relief is only the beginning, and we are hopeful that in the future complete justice will be done, since our rights have clearly been infringed.”
David Dhawan’S Comedy Faces A Music Rights Cloud
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is directed by David Dhawan and produced by Ramesh Taurani and Gaurav Bose under Tips Films and Maximilian Films. The Hindi romantic comedy stars Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Hegde and Maniesh Paul, and is scheduled for theatrical release on June 5, 2026.
With the dispute now centred on a song as widely recalled as Chunari Chunari, the film’s music rights conversation has become a key legal flashpoint ahead of release.
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