Court finds Mohanlal-starrer Karmayodha plagiarised, orders ₹30 lakh compensation

In a significant order, the Commercial Court in Kottayam has ruled that Reji Mathew of Kottayam is the sole and absolute owner of the authorship and copyright of the story, script, and screenplay of Karmayodha, a Malayalam movie directed by Major Ravi and starring Mohanlal.

Considering a complaint filed by screenplay writer Reji Mathew, Principal Sub Judge Manish D.A. has held that the film, released in December 2012, was produced using his story, screenplay, and dialogues without permission. Declaring that the story, screenplay, and dialogues of Karmayodha are the exclusive original works of Reji Mathew, the court directed the defendants, including Major Ravi, to pay ₹30 lakh as compensation. In the event of default, Mr. Mathew would be entitled to recover the amount with interest at 6% per annum from the date of the decree until payment.

The court also ruled that Reji Mathew alone holds complete rights over the story, screenplay, and dialogues under the Indian Copyright Act. These rights include publication in book form, film production, remakes in other languages, and all forms of broadcasting and exploitation through satellite television, OTT platforms, and other visual media.

The court also prohibited the publication, screening, or broadcast of Karmayodha, or any films made in other languages using the same story, screenplay, or dialogues, including the publication of the visual screenplay in book form, without Reji Mathew’s consent and proper title credit.

About a month before the film’s release in 2012, Mr. Mathew had approached the court seeking a stay on its release. At that time, the court permitted the release of the film on the condition that ₹5 lakh be deposited with the court. In its order, the court had also recorded that a dispute regarding the story, screenplay, and dialogues was pending.

Mr. Mathew later approached the court again, alleging that the film was released and screened in violation of the court’s order by including the names of Shaji and Sumesh as screenplay writers.