Jagran Lakecity University

JLU – School of Law Freshers Moot Court Competition 2020

Moot Proposition - 2020

Braineaters Telefilms Ltd. is a company registered under the provisions of the Titanistan
Companies Act, 2013 and has its registered office in Bumba district of Gilli State of Titanistan. It
also produces movies, television series, reality shows etc. among other things. The company’s
new venture was to produce the movie based on mythologies of Titanistan. Company entered
into agreements with celebrity actors and actresses of Union of Titanistan.

The shooting of 1st part of the movie along with the allied operations like editing etc. was over
by January 31, 2020. The stakeholders have decided to bring the movie on floor on March 27,
2020.

In the month of March second week the government of Union of Titanistan announced complete
lockdown for 14 days due to spread of COVID-19 pandemic and as per which the movie
producers could not release the movie throughout the lockdown. However they were expecting
that lockdown won’t stretch further and thought of releasing the movie after 1st lockdown.

During this lockdown Titanistan TV a state controlled television channel started re-broadcasting
extremely successful mythological series after 30 years almost and TRP of Titanistan TV hiked
like never before.

As pandemic was spreading at higher rate government continued the lockdown for almost 3
months with restriction on opening of multiplex, Cineplex and cinema halls being continued.
Moreover, when lockdown was lifted in staggered manner restriction on opening of multiplex,
Cineplex and cinema halls continued in the interest of public.

Star Celebrity Actors like legendary Bijoy deenanath Khan, Vasooli bhai Shah, Ms. Chandni
Chatur, Ms. Briganza and Mr. Kaancha Tyagi who were playing important characters in the
movie and entered into contract with Braineaters Telefilms Ltd. for their new venture on 17th
Feb. 2019 and completed their shooting and all activities related to this venture by December,
2019 and actively participated in all promotional activities of the venture. As per the agreement
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Fees which was to be paid to these actors would be 5% of the profit earned by the production
company - Braineaters Telefilms Ltd. and the same has to be paid to these actors in the Fourth
week of April, 2020.

Braineaters Entertainment Ltd. decided not to release the movie anytime soon even if restriction
on opening of multiplex, Cineplex and cinema halls is lifted as per their empanelled
entertainment industry advisors advice as various other producers would also be releasing their
movies around same time and many of them are star studded movies.

At this juncture during 3rd Lockdown in the month of May, 2020 these 5 actors asked for
novation of previous contract with Braineaters Entertainment Ltd. suggesting that instead of
sharing in profit, their market fees which is around 2-3 Crores be paid to each of them as soon
as possible. Braineaters Entertainment Ltd. outrightly rejected that and also rejected the idea of
releasing on online platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime as they were afraid of incurring huge
loss in their mega venture based on Titanistan Mythology in which they have invested more than
Rs. 150 Crores.

Mr. Kaancha Tyagi tweeted that “Braineaters Entertainment Ltd. is least supportive of actors and
actresses during these pandemic times and is completely business minded and seems to be
headed by bunch of inhumane people who are least sensitive towards actors” The said tweet was
liked and shared by Mr. Vasooli bhai Shah and Ms. Chandni Chatur having million of followers.

Braineaters Entertainment Ltd. filed civil suit of defamation in Bumba District of Gilli state of
Titanistan against Mr. Kaancha Tyagi, Mr. Vasooli bhai Shah, Ms. Chandni Chatur, Mr. Bijoy
deenanath Khan and Ms. Briganza. Bijoy deenanath Khan and Ms. Briganza commented on the
said posts saying Novation of Contract should be done and actors’ right to receiving of fees on
time be safeguarded and Braineaters Entertainment Ltd. failed in doing so.

Note – Laws of Union of Titanistan is pari materia to laws of Union of India