Reconvene and resolve

Pics/Youtube, Yogen Shah, Instagram

Efforts are apparently underway to reach an out-of-court settlement between Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai's makers and plaintiff Vashu Bhagnani, who, on May 28, escalated matters by filing a Rs 400 crore suit against the film's director David Dhawan and producer Ramesh Taurani of Tips Industries. mid-day has learnt that close collaborators of the two parties are trying to resolve the dispute, which began after Bhagnani alleged that the Varun Dhawan-led comedy has made unauthorised use of his Biwi No 1 (1999) songs, Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai.

(L-R) David Dhawan and Ramesh Taurani

A trade source revealed, "Nobody wants a decades-long professional relationship to end in this bitter manner. There are talents who are close to both David and Vashu, and are now trying to broker peace. The hope is that a settlement can be reached before the matter comes up in court." The source, however, cautioned that no breakthrough has been achieved so far.

mid-day reached out to the upcoming film's team, who didn't respond till press time.

Vashu Bhagnani

. A copy of the suit filed by Bhagnani's Puja Films is in mid-day's possession. In the suit, the production house has claimed that the rights granted to Tips Industries in the 1990s were limited to physical formats such as audio cassettes, CDs, and related exploitation, and did not include unrestricted digital, OTT, streaming, synchronisation or audiovisual rights.

. It also states that Bhagnani's potential plans of remaking, adapting, or making fresh commercial exploitation of ‘Biwi No 1' have been thwarted by the use of the film's songs.

. It seeks the removal of the songs in question from ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' and a change in the comedy's title.