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Block pirated versions of Rajinikanth's ‘Coolie' on websites, Madras High Court directs BSNL, Airtel, and others

Block pirated versions of Rajinikanth's ‘Coolie' on websites, Madras High Court directs BSNL, Airtel, and others

The Hindu5 hours ago
The Madras High Court on Monday (August 11, 2025) restrained 36 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) located across the country from permitting 'rogue websites' to stream pirated versions of the much-anticipated Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, which is set to hit cinema theatres on Thursday (August 14, 2025).
Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy granted an interim injunction restraining the 36 ISPs from facilitating the infringement of the movie's copyright by not blocking all websites/web pages in existence, as well as those to be created in the future, if the latter ended up streaming the pirated version of Coolie.
The judge granted the ex-parte injunction after perusing the Central Board of Film Certification and being convinced that Sun TV Network Limited was the producer of the movie. He also stated that irreparable injury would be caused to the production house if such an injunction was not granted against the pirated versions.
The production house obtained the injunction against Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, Bharti Airtel, Hathway Cable, Tata Communication, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Reliance Communication, Tata Teleservices, Sycon Infoway, GTPL Hathway, Tikona Digital, BG Broadband, Sify, and others.
It also obtained a similar injunction against five cable television networks – Action Lane, JAK Communications Private Limited, C32 Cable Net Private Limited, Thamizhaga Cable TV Communication Private Limited, Thiru Nagar Satellite Vision Private Limited – based in Chennai, against infringing its copyright over the movie.
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie has an pan-India ensemble cast, including actors Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra Rao, and Soubin Shahir.
After a hiatus of several years, Tamil actor Sathyaraj, known across the country for his role as Kattappa in the blockbuster Bahubali, is also set to share the screen with Rajinikanth. Actor Shruti Hassan too features in the movie. This is director Lokesh's first movie with Rajinikanth.
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