NEW DELHI:

India’s JioStar, the television and streaming venture of Reliance Industries and Walt Disney, has initiated legal proceedings against rival Zee Entertainment for alleged unauthorised broadcasting of Bollywood films it holds rights to, according to documents reviewed by Reuters.

The dispute marks another escalation in tensions between two of India’s largest media groups, already entangled in multiple legal battles spanning television rights, music licensing and sports broadcasting agreements.

JioStar, formed after the $8.5 billion merger of Reliance and Disney’s Indian media assets in 2024, is currently the country’s largest media and entertainment player, while Zee Entertainment remains a major but smaller competitor in the highly competitive $30 billion sector.

The companies are already engaged in a $1 billion arbitration in London over a collapsed cricket licensing agreement dating back to 2024, underscoring the widening scope of commercial disputes between the two sides.

In April, Zee Entertainment filed a separate lawsuit against JioStar in a Delhi court, alleging unauthorised use of copyrighted music. The latest filing by JioStar, dated May 4, is being heard through the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee, which handles mediation and early-stage dispute resolution.

According to legal documents, JioStar has accused Zee of broadcasting 12 Bollywood films around 20 times without valid licensing rights, including major titles featuring stars such as Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.

In its 120-page petition, JioStar described Zee as a “habitual infringer” and alleged continued “unauthorised broadcast and exploitation” of copyrighted films. The filing has not previously been reported.

The mediation committee has directed Zee to appear on May 25, warning that failure to do so could be interpreted as refusal to participate in the settlement process. If mediation fails, the matter could proceed to formal court litigation. Both JioStar and Zee declined to comment when contacted.

The dispute adds to a growing pattern of legal friction between the two media giants, which together reach hundreds of millions of viewers across television networks and streaming platforms.

Reliance has said JioStar commands a 34.2% share of India’s television market, while Zee has claimed its own share has reached an 18% four-year high.

In its earlier April case, Zee sought around $3 million in damages from JioStar, alleging repeated use of its music across broadcasts even after licensing agreements had expired. Sources familiar with the matter said JioStar is likely to seek more than Rs250 million ($2.61 million) in damages over the alleged film broadcast infringements, though the final figure has not been confirmed.

Legal filings show the dispute process began in February 2025, with both sides exchanging more than a dozen notices and letters before the case moved to mediation. Among the films cited in the dispute are classic and contemporary Bollywood titles, including the 1975 action drama ‘Deewaar’, starring Amitabh Bachchan, and ‘Tridev’.

JioStar claims it holds broadcast rights to these films, alleging Zee aired them without authorisation. Zee, however, has argued that any broadcasts were “inadvertent and unintentional” and that it exercised due caution, while denying liability for damages.

The dispute also includes allegations involving the 2016 blockbuster ‘Dangal’, starring Aamir Khan and based on the life of Indian wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat. JioStar alleges unauthorised broadcast, while Zee denies wrongdoing, claiming it had permission from the production house.

As mediation proceedings move forward, the case underscores intensifying competition and frequent legal clashes in India’s rapidly consolidating entertainment industry, where control of content rights has become a critical battleground for dominance.