JioStar accuses ZEE for unauthorised use of Bollywood films

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.

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".

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.