KRK barred by Mumbai court from sharing defamatory posts targeting Vashu Bhagnani

Mumbai Court Restrains KRK From Posting Defamatory Content Against Vashu Bhagnani.

A Mumbai civil court has issued an interim order barring actor and film reviewer Kamal Rashid Khan (KRK) from posting defamatory material about producer Vashu Bhagnani. The court noted that KRK cannot invoke freedom of speech to harm another person’s reputation in the guise of a review.

The dispute traces back to 2021, when Bhagnani approached the court alleging that KRK had carried out a “well-orchestrated smear campaign” through social media posts and YouTube videos. He described the content as “grossly defamatory, slanderous, and distasteful” and sought a temporary restriction until the defamation suit concludes.

Civil judge Amit A. Laulkar directed KRK to remove the content identified in the petition but declined to order an unconditional apology at this stage, saying such directives are generally issued after a detailed trial. The court emphasized that “the right to speech of one person should not violate another’s privacy and public image” and that KRK should exercise self-restraint while commenting publicly.

Bhagnani said he was “pained and perturbed” by the attacks, while KRK claimed the case was “frivolous” and defended his statements as part of his work as a reviewer and trade analyst. The court observed that Bhagnani’s reputation had been affected and ruled that ongoing posts could cause “grave loss and mental agony” to the producer.

Bhagnani, 64, is known for producing hits like Coolie No. 1, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. His banner, Pooja Entertainment, recently suffered box office failures with Ganapath and the 2024 remake of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.