Mr Perfect Copyright Dispute: Supreme Court Gives Dil Raju Another Relief

Producer Dil Raju has received another relief from the Supreme Court in the copyright dispute related to the Telugu film Mr Perfect. The court has refused to remove the stay on the trial court proceedings. This means the trial court case will remain on hold for now.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohan heard the matter. The bench said that the stay was imposed earlier after hearing arguments in the case. The court said it would consider when the matter should be taken up for the next hearing.

Mr Perfect was released in 2011. The film stars Prabhas, Kajal Aggarwal and Taapsee Pannu in the lead roles. Dil Raju produced the movie, while Dasarath directed it. Devi Sri Prasad composed the music.

The copyright dispute came up several years after the film's release. Writer Mummidi Shyamala Rani claimed that some parts of the film were based on her novel Naa Manasu Korindi Ninne. She approached the court in 2017, alleging that the makers had used material from her work.

After hearing the matter, the trial court directed the police to register a case against Dil Raju, co-producers Sirish and Lakshman, director Dasarath and dialogue writer Abburi Ravi. Following the court's order, the police registered a case.

Dil Raju then approached the High Court. After hearing the case, the High Court dismissed the complaint filed against him under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code. However, it allowed the trial court to continue the proceedings under Section 63 of the Copyright Act.

Dil Raju challenged the High Court decision in the Supreme Court in February 2025. His lawyers argued that there was a delay in filing the copyright case. The Supreme Court later issued notices to the respondents and stayed the trial court proceedings.

Recently, Shyamala Rani's lawyer requested the Supreme Court to cancel the stay and allow the trial court proceedings to continue. The lawyer also pointed out that Shyamala Rani is 71 years old and requested an early hearing.

However, the Supreme Court said that the stay had been granted after hearing the earlier arguments. The court refused to lift the stay at this stage.

Therefore, the trial court proceedings in the Mr Perfect copyright case will continue to remain on hold for now. The Supreme Court's latest decision has given temporary relief to Dil Raju and the other people involved in the case.