The legal cloud over Varun Dhawan’s big-screen return lifted just in time for release day. On June 5, 2026, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai arrived in cinemas after the Bombay High Court refused urgent interim relief to Puja Films in its copyright dispute with Tips over music linked to Biwi No 1.
Bombay High Court Refuses Urgent Stay
Justice Farhan P Dubash, sitting on the vacation bench, declined to grant an immediate stay on the theatrical release of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The plea concerned the alleged unauthorised use of Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai, songs associated with the 1999 David Dhawan film Biwi No 1.
Puja Entertainment, owned by Vashu Bhagnani, moved the court seeking injunctive reliefs and damages. Tips and David Dhawan’s side opposed the urgent application, allowing the film’s theatrical run to continue without a release stay from the Bombay High Court.
The matter is scheduled to be heard next on June 8, 2026.
What The Copyright Row Is About
The dispute is rooted in competing claims over music and visual rights connected to Biwi No 1, which starred Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen and Karisma Kapoor. Puja Entertainment has argued that the required permissions were not in place for the new film.
In an earlier statement to ANI, Puja Films’ lawyer said, “We have filed a suit with a claim of Rs. 400 crores to the Tips Music Company. The legal battle has been increasing for many days, and the rights of the musicians were not been settled. Earlier, the rights of movies were based on agreements. Today, music companies buy songs from big producers or lyricists who write or create them. During that time, the agreements with Tips covered only audio rights. In 2018, Tips emailed us requesting visual rights. Vashu Bhagnani had replied to them, but their conversation did not settle.”
The Bombay High Court also noted that Puja Entertainment had earlier approached a civil court in Bihar in April 2026 over similar relief. That proceeding led to a status quo order in May, which the Supreme Court stayed on May 22.
David Dhawan’S Rom-Com Opens Amid Legal Heat
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a Hindi romantic comedy directed by David Dhawan. The film stars Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, with Maniesh Paul, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Shergill and Mouni Roy in key roles.
Produced by Ramesh Taurani’s Tips Films with Gaurav Bose’s Maximilian Films, the theatrical release has now moved ahead while the copyright battle continues in court.
Stay tuned with us for the latest news, Hindi box office news, Hollywood news, OTT news, the latest Bollywood news, and the latest box office news.
