The Delhi High Court has sent the legal dispute between Coomi Kapoor, Netflix, and Manikarnika Films over the film Emergency to mediation. The case involves claims of copyright violation, reputational harm, and breach of contract related to Kapoor’s book The Emergency: A Personal History.

The Legal Battle Over the Film ‘Emergency’

A legal conflict involving veteran journalist and author Coomi Kapoor, Netflix, and Manikarnika Films has been referred to mediation by the Delhi High Court.

The dispute centers around alleged contractual breaches and reputational damage related to the Netflix film Emergency—a political drama directed by actress and producer Kangana Ranaut.

Court Pushes for Peaceful Resolution

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora instructed all parties to resolve the issue through mediation. The decision followed a joint submission by the legal teams, who expressed interest in resolving the matter before proceeding with litigation.

The case has been scheduled for mediation on May 9, 2025, at the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Center. Depending on the outcome, the matter will be reviewed by another bench on May 20, 2025.

Author Alleges Breach of Contract and Misuse of Identity

Kapoor claims the film Emergency is based on her 2015 book The Emergency: A Personal History, which offers a detailed account of India’s Emergency period (1975–1977) under Indira Gandhi.

She sent a legal notice to both Manikarnika Films and Netflix, accusing them of:

• Breaching a tripartite agreement

• Using her book and identity without written consent

• Contributing to historical inaccuracies in the film that are being wrongly attributed to her work

Disputed Contractual Clauses

Kapoor emphasized two specific clauses in the contract:

1. No content contrary to public domain historical facts could be used.

2. Her name or book could not be used for commercial purposes without prior written approval.

Despite this, the film’s disclaimer stated:

“The film is inspired by the book The Emergency by Coomi Kapoor and Priyadarshani by Jaiyanth Vasant Shinde.”

This acknowledgment, Kapoor argues, violates the agreed-upon terms and tarnishes her credibility.

What’s Next for the Dispute?

As the mediation date approaches, all eyes are on the outcome, which could set a precedent for author-producer contracts in the Indian entertainment industry. The case raises important questions about intellectual property rights, creative adaptation, and journalistic credibility in cinematic storytelling.

Conclusion

This high-profile legal clash between a respected journalist and major entertainment entities like Netflix and Manikarnika Films underscores the growing tension between intellectual property and artistic liberty in India’s film industry. The upcoming mediation will not only determine the future of Kapoor’s claims but also potentially shape how real-life stories are adapted for screen in the future. As creators, platforms, and publishers navigate complex legal boundaries, the outcome of this case could become a crucial benchmark for ethical storytelling and contract enforcement in the digital content era.