JioStar takes legal action against Zee over unauthorised telecast of Bollywood films
In a 120-page plea, JioStar alleged that Zee Entertainment Enterprises broadcast 12 distinct films nearly 20 times, including several blockbusters starring Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.
JioStar, the television and online entertainment venture of Reliance and Walt Disney, has initiated legal action against Zee Entertainment over the alleged unauthorised broadcast of Bollywood films whose rights it says it held, documents show.
The move adds to an escalating dispute between the two companies, which are already locked in a $1 billion arbitration in London over a collapsed cricket licensing deal in 2024. In April, Zee sued JioStar in a Delhi court over the alleged unauthorised use of its copyrighted music.
Case and allegations
JioStar filed its plea on May 4 before the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee, which provides a dispute resolution mechanism aimed at amicable settlements. According to legal documents reviewed by Reuters, JioStar challenged Zee's broadcast last year of some Bollywood films even though the rights at the time vested with the Reliance-led entity.
In its 120-page plea, JioStar alleged that Zee broadcast 12 distinct films around 20 times, including some blockbusters starring Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan. It described Zee as a "habitual infringer" and accused the company of continuing to "engage in the unauthorised broadcast and exploitation of the films".
Proceedings and timeline
The documents said the Committee has asked Zee to appear before it on May 25 and added that a failure to do so would be considered a refusal to participate in the mediation. The Bollywood film case reached the committee stage after the two sides exchanged more than a dozen legal notices and letters starting in February 2025, the documents show.
Two sources with direct knowledge said JioStar is likely to seek upwards of 250 million rupees ($2.61 million) for the alleged infringement of its film rights, though the amount has not been finalised.
Companies and market presence
JioStar was formed through Reliance and Disney's $8.5 billion merger of their Indian media assets in 2024. JioStar and Zee both declined to comment. Mukesh Ambani's JioStar is the No. 1 player in India's $30 billion media and entertainment industry, while Zee, one of India's oldest media groups, is a smaller rival.
JioStar and Zee reach hundreds of millions of viewers through scores of television channels and a streaming platform each. Reliance says JioStar has a 34.2 per cent share of India's television market, while Zee says its share is at a four-year high of 18 per cent.
Music rights row
In the music case filed in April, Zee Entertainment Enterprises is seeking $3 million from JioStar for allegedly using its music at least 50 times after certain licensing agreements had expired.
The films involved in the Bollywood case include the 1975 film Deewaar, starring Amitabh Bachchan, and Tridev. JioStar said it has the rights to these films and that Zee broadcast them without permission. Zee said the broadcasts were "inadvertent and unintentional" and that it would exercise due caution, but declined any liability for the damages sought by Reliance.
The latest case adds to a widening legal conflict between the broadcasters, with JioStar alleging repeated unauthorised broadcasts of films and Zee contesting liability, while mediation before the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee is set to begin with Zee's appearance on May 25.