Stay on Rishi Kapoor-Taapsee Pannu's Mulk release vacated in time

On Monday evening, reports were rife that the release of Rishi Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu-starrer Mulk, scheduled for August 3, had been stayed. This was the development in the case filed by one Vandana Suresh Punwani in the Dindoshi Court against the film’s director Anubhav Sinha and his production house, Benaras Media Works Pvt Ltd. The petition also sought a stay on Mulk’s release till her dues were cleared. 

Yesterday afternoon, the presenters of the film, Deepak Mukut and his company Soham Rockstar Entertainment, moved the court to vacate the stay as Mulk is not solely a Benaras Media Works production. The Court reportedly clarified that the injunction it ordered on Monday was only against Benaras Media Works Pvt Ltd and not against Soham Rockstar Entertainment’s productions. Since there was no injunction against the Mukuts and their company, they could release Mulk as scheduled. 

Since there’s no injunction against Soham Rockstar Entertainment, they can release Mulk as scheduled. Punwani had given her office premises to Anubhav, the producer-director of the Rishi Kapoor-Taapsee Pannu-starrer, on rent and the outstanding dues amount to ₹55 lakh.  

After the hearing on July 30, the Honourable Additional Sessions Judge passed an Ad-interim order pending the hearing and final disposal of the Notice of Motion, temporarily restraining the respondent Anubhav Sinha and Benaras Media Works from releasing Mulk in theatres across India till the next hearing, scheduled for August 2 (tomorrow). 

Late Monday evening, Sinha posted a message on Twitter saying, “A court order restraining the release of Mulk directed by me has been circulating on WhatsApp Groups and Social Media. No such order has been served upon us. If someone has mischievously misled the court and if the court has really passed such an order we shall move a petition to vacate the same ASAP. Meanwhile, logistically all arrangements are in place to release the film on the set date, August 3. (sic)” Fortunately for the film’s makers, the court’s order yesterday is a big sign of relief. We tried contacting Anubhav, but he remained unavailable for comment till the time of going to press.