Aditya Chopra

An author accused YRF and Aditya Chopra of using his script Kabhu Na Chhadein Khet to produce Shamshera, leading to civil litigation and then an FIR for copyright infringement and cheating.

State of the evidence

Civil litigation, 2024 FIR and 2025 stay documented

Attribution

Alleged personal responsibility as YRF producer/executive

A cinema-goer claimed that she had been misled because the song Jabra Fan appeared in trailers but not in the film. Consumer forums awarded her compensation and classified the promotion as an unfair practice.

State of the evidence

NCDRC and Supreme Court decisions documented

Attribution

Corporate responsibility of YRF; Aditya not personally convicted

Following the release of the song Besharam Rang, a complaint sought the registration of an FIR against Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, director Siddharth Anand and producer Aditya Chopra, alleging that the video offended Hindu sentiments and promoted obscenity.

State of the evidence

Complaint before a Muzaffarpur court and boycott campaign documented

Attribution

Producer directly named in the complaint

In The Romantics, Aditya Chopra argued that his brother Uday's case demonstrated the limits of nepotism: despite YRF's power, the studio had been unable to make him a star, with audiences remaining the ultimate arbiters.

State of the evidence

Public statements and reactions documented

Attribution

Direct personal responsibility for expressing a position

The Shree Rajput Karni Sena initiated proceedings and demanded that the film Prithviraj use an honorific title to avoid disrespecting Prithviraj Chauhan. Following discussions and a PIL, YRF agreed to rename the film Samrat Prithviraj.

State of the evidence

PIL, negotiations and official title change documented

Attribution

Producer directly responsible for the title decision

Following Sushant's death, Mumbai police questioned Aditya Chopra about the actor's contract with YRF, his departure from the studio and the cancellation of Paani. Public allegations maintained that the actor had been prevented from progressing by powerful studios.

State of the evidence

Police questioning and YRF statements documented

Attribution

Executive questioned as a witness and target of public allegations

Kangana Ranaut recounted that after she declined Sultan, Aditya Chopra had initially received her normally but, following publication of an article about her refusal, allegedly sent her a message threatening to end her career.

State of the evidence

Direct public allegation by Kangana Ranaut documented

Attribution

Unsubstantiated personal allegation open to dispute

The Indian Performing Right Society accused YRF of retaining royalties since 2012 that should have gone to authors and composers and of imposing contracts preventing them from receiving certain rights payments directly. The FIR named Aditya Chopra.

State of the evidence

Economic Offences Wing FIR documented

Attribution

Aditya personally named alongside YRF and Uday Chopra, concerning primarily corporate matters

Following the Mardaani 2 trailer, local officials in Kota accused the film of damaging the city's image by associating it with a serial rapist and murderer while presenting the story as inspired by real events. A legal notice was sent to Aditya Chopra, among others.

State of the evidence

Legal notice and Rajasthan High Court litigation documented

Attribution

Producer directly named

The Enforcement Directorate summoned Aditya Chopra in an investigation into alleged non-payment of royalties to authors and performers, following complaints concerning the operation of music rights societies.

State of the evidence

ED summons documented

Attribution

Alleged corporate responsibility as chairman of YRF

For several financial years of Yash Raj Films, the tax authorities challenged the level or allocation of remuneration paid to directors, including several crores to Aditya Chopra for production or writing, considering certain amounts excessive or incorrectly allocated.

State of the evidence

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal proceedings documented

Attribution

Direct beneficiary of intra-group remuneration challenged for tax purposes

The owner of the famous Ghantewala confectionery business sent a legal notice to YRF, Aditya Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan and others involved in Fan over the use of the establishment's name without authorisation and in a scene considered disparaging.

State of the evidence

Legal notice documented

Attribution

Alleged responsibility as producer

Screenwriter Mansoor Haider sued YRF, Aditya Chopra and Vijay Krishna Acharya, alleging that Dhoom 3 copied his screenplay. The Bombay High Court examined the alleged similarities and differences in detail.

State of the evidence

Civil proceedings documented

Attribution

Alleged responsibility as YRF producer

Ajay Devgn Films and its partners accused YRF of using its market position to link cinema bookings for Ek Tha Tiger to an obligation to screen Jab Tak Hai Jaan, to the detriment of Son of Sardaar.

State of the evidence

CCI/COMPAT complaint and outcome favourable to YRF documented

Attribution

Alleged corporate responsibility as head of YRF

Screenwriter Anand Panda accused YRF of using a script he had submitted and the studio had rejected. Amboli police registered an FIR naming Aditya Chopra, among others, for cheating, criminal breach of trust and infringement of the Copyright Act.

State of the evidence

Registered FIR and litigation documented

Attribution

Alleged personal responsibility as producer

Suchita Bhatia claimed to have presented two stories to YRF in 2006, one of which she considered similar to the film New York, before discovering in 2009 that the film used her idea without agreement or credit. She said she had written to Aditya Chopra and complained to the screenwriters' association.

State of the evidence

Complaint to screenwriters' association and public statements documented

Attribution

YRF executive directly addressed by the allegations