13 March,2026 07:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Chennai Super Kings sued
Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad have taken their IPL rivalry to court. Sun TV Network Limited has moved the Madras High Court against Chennai Super Kings, alleging unauthorized use of songs and dialogues from Rajinikanth films like Jailer in promotional content. The network claims the material was used commercially without permission and is seeking damages of Rs 1 crore.
Sun TV Network Limited, the media powerhouse and owner of the SRH franchise, has filed a copyright infringement suit in the Madras High Court against Chennai Super Kings Limited. That comes after CSK's continued use of Rajinikanth songs from Jailer, Jailer 2, and Coolie in their promotional content.
Alongside music, CSK have used audio tracks and iconic dialogues from the Rajinikanth blockbusters. Particularly, Sanju's trade announcement and CSK's jersey reveal prominently featured the track "Hukum" from the movie Jailer. The network is reportedly seeking Rs 1 crore in damages and a full account of revenues generated through the promos.
In court, senior counsel J. Ravindran, representing Sun TV, argued that CSK had used this intellectual property for commercial gain without authorization. Chennai, meanwhile, have informed the Madras High Court that the franchise had already stopped using the disputed material. The Madras High Court will continue to hear arguments in the case as it determines whether any further restrictions or penalties are warranted for the use of these songs and dialogues.
The soundtrack of Jailer, in particular, became extremely popular after the film's release and has frequently been used in stadiums and social media videos celebrating cricket moments. With the IPL season approaching, the dispute has drawn attention to the growing importance of copyright compliance in sports promotions and digital marketing campaigns.
The Tamil actioner Jailer, starring Rajinikanth, was directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. It was released in theatres on August 10, 2023, and was a major blockbuster. Its sequel is in the making, and Sun TV made an impressive announcement about it. Shah Rukh Khan is expected to make a cameo in the film.
Meanwhile, Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, was released in theatres on August 14, 2025. It marked Rajinikanth's 171st film and also featured a star-studded cast including Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, and Upendra.
