Bigg Boss 19 Makers Face ₹2 Crore Lawsuit Over Alleged Unauthorized Use of ‘Chikni Chameli’ and Other Bollywood Tracks

The popular reality television show Bigg Boss 19, hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, has reportedly become entangled in a significant legal dispute concerning the alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted music. The controversy centres on the show’s producers, Endemol Shine India and Banijay, being served a legal notice demanding damages amounting to ₹2 crore (approximately 20 million Indian Rupees), in addition to requisite license fees.

The Infringement Claim

The legal action has been initiated by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), one of India’s oldest and most prominent music licensing organizations. PPL alleges that the show utilized two well-known Bollywood songs without securing the mandatory “public performance license” necessary for their legal broadcast.

The two tracks cited in the legal notice are:

1. ‘Chikni Chameli’ from the 2012 film Agneepath, famously performed on-screen by Katrina Kaif.
2. ‘Dhat Teri Ki’ from the 2013 film Gori Tere Pyaar Mein.

Reports indicate that the unauthorized usage occurred during the show’s 11th episode. Both songs are licensed to Sony Music Entertainment India, and their public performance rights are exclusively administered by PPL.

Legal Ramifications and Demands

The notice, dated September 19, was reportedly sent to Endemol Shine India’s directors, including Deepak Dhar, and accuses the production house of “willful infringement” under Section 30 of the Copyright Act 1957.

In addition to the substantial financial claim of ₹2 crore for damages and license fees, PPL has also issued a cease-and-desist notice to the makers of Bigg Boss 19. This notice strictly prohibits the reality show from using any of PPL’s sound recordings further without obtaining proper authorization and a valid license.

Response from Stakeholders

As of the latest reports, neither the production houses—Endemol Shine India and Banijay—nor the streaming partner, JioHotstar, have issued an official public statement or response regarding the legal notice and the infringement allegations.

However, a source close to the production has reportedly suggested that the production houses themselves might not be directly responsible for the song selection. This source indicated that a dedicated promo team affiliated with the streaming platform, JioHotstar, typically handles the choice of music played for background or wake-up tracks, thereby implying a potential shift in accountability.

This legal challenge places the popular Salman Khan-hosted show in the spotlight for a non-contestant-related controversy, highlighting the critical importance of intellectual property compliance in the media and entertainment industry. The outcome of this high-stakes copyright battle will be keenly watched, potentially setting a precedent for music licensing practices across Indian reality television.