NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India’s media rivalry between JioStar and Zee Entertainment Enterprises has intensified after JioStar launched legal action over the alleged unauthorized broadcast of Bollywood films.
The dispute marks another chapter in the growing conflict between two of India’s biggest entertainment companies. JioStar claims Zee aired several hit Bollywood movies without proper licensing rights. The case comes only weeks after Zee sued JioStar over alleged copyright violations involving music content.
JioStar filed its complaint on May 4 before the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee. The filing alleges Zee broadcast 12 films nearly 20 times during 2024 despite JioStar holding the telecast rights at that time. According to legal documents reviewed by Reuters, JioStar called Zee a “habitual infringer” and accused the broadcaster of repeatedly exploiting copyrighted films without permission.
The movies named in the complaint include major Bollywood classics and modern hits. Among them are the 1975 film Deewaar starring Amitabh Bachchan and the action thriller Tridev. JioStar also accused Zee of unlawfully airing Dangal, the award-winning sports drama starring Aamir Khan. The film became one of India’s biggest box-office successes and gained international recognition.
Zee rejected the allegations and argued that some broadcasts happened unintentionally. The company reportedly told the mediation panel that the telecasts were “inadvertent and unintentional.”
In the case involving “Dangal,” Zee claimed it had authorization from the movie’s production house to air the film. The broadcaster also disputed any liability for damages sought by JioStar.The mediation committee has directed Zee to appear on May 25.
If the mediation effort fails, JioStar may escalate the matter to a formal court proceeding.
JioStar emerged in 2024 after the $8.5 billion merger of Indian media assets owned by Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Company. The combined venture quickly became India’s largest television and streaming business. Reliance says JioStar now controls 34.2% of India’s television market. Zee, one of India’s oldest media companies, says its market share has climbed to 18%, its highest level in four years.
The two companies already face each other in a separate $1 billion arbitration in London tied to a failed cricket broadcasting agreement from 2024. Industry analysts say the latest legal battle could further reshape competition in India’s $30 billion entertainment industry, especially as streaming and television rights become more valuable.
The new lawsuit follows another copyright conflict filed in April. In that case, Zee accused JioStar of using copyrighted music after licensing agreements expired. Zee is seeking about $3 million in damages. The company alleged that JioStar used its music content at least 50 times without authorization.
Sources familiar with the current Bollywood film dispute told Reuters that JioStar could seek more than 250 million rupees, or about $2.61 million, in damages. However, the final claim amount has not yet been confirmed. Legal documents show both sides exchanged more than a dozen legal notices and letters beginning in February 2025 before the film dispute reached the mediation stage.
The battle between JioStar and Zee reflects the intense fight for dominance in India’s television and streaming market. Both companies reach hundreds of millions of viewers through television channels and digital platforms.
Content rights for Bollywood films, sports broadcasts, and music catalogs remain central to attracting viewers and advertisers. As competition grows, legal disputes over copyright and licensing have become more common across the industry.
Neither JioStar nor Zee publicly commented on the latest case after Reuters reported the filing. Investors reacted quickly to the news. Shares of Zee fell 3.4% during trading in Mumbai after the Reuters report became public.
