In a strong move to combat film piracy, the Madras High Court has issued an interim injunction to protect the upcoming Tamil film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Rajinikanth, from unauthorised online streaming. The highly anticipated film, set for release on August 14, has already recorded impressive advance ticket sales.
Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy directed 36 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block “rogue websites” from streaming pirated versions of the film, citing the “irreparable injury” Sun TV Network, the producer, could face if piracy persisted.
The legal order underscores the court’s commitment to safeguarding the financial interests of content creators in the Tamil film industry.
Order Extends to Cable Networks
In addition to ISPs, the court has barred five Chennai-based cable television networks from broadcasting pirated copies of Coolie.
This multi-platform approach aims to curb piracy across both online and offline channels, ensuring the film’s box office performance remains unaffected.
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The court’s ruling also mandates ISPs to prevent access not only to existing piracy websites but also to any new platforms that may emerge to host or stream unauthorised versions of the film.
The move highlights the crucial role of ISPs in protecting intellectual property rights and maintaining the entertainment industry’s economic stability.
Star Cast and Audience Anticipation
Featuring Rajinikanth in his first collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie also stars Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Nagarjuna Akkineni, and Aamir Khan in key roles.
With Kanagaraj’s record of 100% box office success and the film’s advance bookings signalling strong audience interest, the High Court’s decision aims to ensure moviegoers can enjoy the release legally and in full quality.
