Bollywood up in arms against news channels,files suit in Delhi HC

New Delhi: A civil suit has been jointly filed by major production houses of the film industry against news channels Republic TV and Times Now, for allegedly defaming the industry through irresponsible reporting and derogatory language.

In the suit, 38 production houses asked the court to direct journalists Arnab Goswami and Pradeep Bhandari of Republic TV and Shivshankar and Navika Kumar of Times Now and several others, to restrain from making ''irresponsible, derogatory and defamatory remarks'' against the actors and the industry.

It also sought immediate withdrawal of all derogatory content against the film industry.

The production houses demanded a restrain of media trials of the artists and maintaining the right to privacy of them. Also, the rules under the Cable TV (Regulation) Act should be followed in letter and spirit.

The film industry, in its suit, reminded the court of its contribution in cinema and revenue generated by it, apart from providing lakhs of employment. It said the industry is solely dependent on the goodwill of the audience and any smear campaign can hamper its livelihood.

The plaintiff also clarified that they are not advocating for a media gag, but an ethical and principled reporting.The production houses, including the Red Chillies Entertainment, Yash Raj Films, Reliance Big Entertainment, Salman Khan Films, Excel Entertainment, Dharma Production and Aamir Khan Productions, are among those,  who are a party in the suit.

After Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death in June, several media houses first accused several film stars and directors for practising nepotism and later actor Rhea Chakraborty for consuming and peddling drugs. 

Also, WhatsApp chat and other personal details of a few actors were leaked by a section of the media, despite an ongoing investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Narcotics Crime Bureau into the actor's death.

Rhea was released on bail by the Bombay High Court after a month in early October, as it did not found an concrete reasons behind her detention and the All India Institute of Medical Science, in its medical report, stated that Sushant died by suicide, not murder.(UNI)