Bombay High Court directs makers of Tu Hai Meri Kiran to deposit Rs. 8.85 crores before release

The Bombay High Court on Monday, October 19, decided that Echelon Productions cannot release or use the movie Tu Hai Meri Kiran, which stars Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal, unless it pays Rs.8.85 crores along with 15% annual interest to AND Movie Products LLP, as reported by Live Law Biz.The film was planned to come out in theatres on October 23, 2026.

The court stopped the release of Tu Hai Meri Kiran because of a disagreement over Rs.8.85 crores.The court told the makers to deposit that amount before the film can be released.Justice Amit Borkar agreed with AND Movie Products LLP's request to protect their investment and rights.The judge said that stopping the film would ignore the money and work that went into making it, but also said the film should not be used for profit until the co-producer's money is secured.

The dispute started from a co-production agreement signed on March 27, 2024, where both sides agreed to contribute Rs.

7.50 crore each, plus GST, for a total budget of Rs.15 crores plus GST.AND Movie Products said they invested Rs.8.85 crore between March 2024 and January 2025 but were not paid back as agreed.

According to the agreement, Echelon was supposed to return the money within 13 months of signing the contract or three weeks before the film's first release, whichever came first.

The court said the deadline was April 27, 2025, and the later release date could not extend that.

The issue got worse when a cheque for Rs.

7.50 crore issued by Echelon through Vishal Rana bounced in January 2026.AND Movie Products then went to the High Court after the film's release date was announced.

Echelon argued that the money would be paid based on the film's earnings and mentioned that AND Movie Products participated in Instagram promotions.

But the court said those activities did not cancel the need to repay or get the co-producer's consent before making deals with others.

The court told Echelon to deposit Rs.

8.85 crores, with 15% interest calculated from the investment dates, within three working days.If they don't, the film can't be used for profit.Echelon also has to share all current and planned deals, keep the film's money in a separate account, and report regularly.They must get AND Movie Products' approval before signing any deals and fix or remove any credits that don't match what was agreed.

The court said the deposited money will be kept as a security and can’t be taken out without court or arbitration approval.

It didn’t ask Vishal Rana to pay the money now, saying the final responsibility will be decided through arbitration.The court also refused Echelon's request to delay the judgment.