Bengaluru court restrains defamatory posts about ‘Toxic’ until September 28

The Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru has temporarily restrained several defendants, including X Corp and unnamed “John Doe” parties, from publishing or circulating false, malicious, defamatory or derogatory material about the film *Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups*.

KVN Productions LLP, the film’s producer and copyright owner, sought the injunction before the film’s release. In its August 22 order, the court said the production house had made out a prima facie case and that an interim restraint was necessary for a limited period.

The order covers content shared through any medium, including posts, streams and other online communication, whether published before or after the film’s release. It is not a blanket restriction on reviews or criticism: genuine opinions about the film are not prohibited by the order.

The injunction is set to remain in force until September 28, the next hearing date. The court also said it cannot be used beyond the purpose for which it was granted, and that it will lapse if the plaintiff does not meet the conditions attached to the interim relief.