Who Really Owns ‘Queen’? The ₹250 Crore Battle Behind Kangana’s New Film

–Surya Prakash Josyula

Years ago, the film Queen brought Kangana Ranaut a National Award and solidified her status in Indian cinema. Today, that very same title has dragged her upcoming movie into a massive legal showdown. With one story, two powerhouse producers, and two completely conflicting arguments, Bollywood is currently gripped by one major question: Who really owns the rights to Queen?

The controversy erupted just as the film, titled Queen 2, entered its final stages of production. Phantom Studios moved the Bombay High Court against the filmmakers, alleging a blatant violation of intellectual property (IP) rights. Seeking a staggering ₹250 crore in damages, the production house has turned this upcoming release into the biggest talking point in the industry.

While a surface glance suggests the dispute is merely over the title Queen 2, Phantom Studios’ claim runs much deeper. The company asserts that the creators have utilized the intellectual property of the original 2014 blockbuster without official permission. Because Phantom Studios holds a 50% stake in the original film’s IP, they argue that any sequel, spin-off, or cinematic extension strictly requires their consent. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that the new project brings back the exact same powerhouse combination—director Vikas Bahl and leading lady Kangana Ranaut—which has only intensified suspicions that this is a direct continuation.

However, JioStar, the co-producer of the new film, presents a completely different narrative. Firmly denying all allegations, JioStar clarified that their project is an entirely original film with a brand-new storyline. They maintain that the upcoming movie shares absolutely no connection with the characters, plot points, or creative elements of the 2014 hit. Officially declaring it as neither a prequel nor a sequel, JioStar’s legal defense also points out that ‘Queen’ is a common English word that no single entity can exclusively claim or monopolize.

At the heart of this legal battle lies the concept of Intellectual Property (IP) rights, which encompass a film’s story, screenplay, character designs, brand equity, and the exclusive rights to produce sequels. This high-stakes clash is particularly crucial for Kangana Ranaut, whose recent releases have struggled to perform at the box office. With Queen 2 currently in post-production, it was highly anticipated as the project that would revive her box office dominance, but this lawsuit now poses a significant hurdle for the producers.

This is far from the first time Bollywood has witnessed such high-profile IP and franchise battles. The industry has a long history of copyright disputes, including the famous rift between T-Series and Vishesh Films over the Aashiqui 3 title, contract complications surrounding Hera Pheri 3, and extensive rights negotiations for Akshay Kumar’s OMG franchise.

Ultimately, this case transcends a single movie; it revives a fundamental question within the Indian film industry regarding who truly owns a blockbuster franchise. The upcoming verdict from the Bombay High Court will likely set a major legal precedent for future sequels, remakes, and cinematic universes. Until then, the industry watches closely to see who will ultimately claim ownership of the Queen legacy.