Sun TV Network has filed a copyright infringement suit in the Madras High Court against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), alleging that the IPL franchise used audio tracks, background music, and dialogues from the Rajinikanth films Jailer, Jailer 2, and Coolie without permission in a promotional video introducing its new jersey for the Indian Premier League 2026 season.

Sun TV Network is owned by Kalanithi Maran, the father of Kavya Maran who owns the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL team Kavya Maran and her team Sunrisers is also in the news for buying a Pakistani player named Abrar Ahmed who has sympathized with Islamic terrorism and even mocked India.

The copyright matter came up before Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy on Friday. Appearing for the television network, senior counsel J. Ravindran told the court that CSK had used copyrighted audio material from the films in a video shared on its social media platforms to promote the team’s new jersey.

He said the broadcaster had issued an email notice to CSK on 1 March 2026, pointing out the alleged unauthorised use of its copyrighted material. According to the counsel, the IPL franchise subsequently stopped using the audio tracks and dialogues after receiving the notice. However, he urged the court to ensure that such use does not recur in the future.

Representing CSK, senior counsel P. S. Raman informed the court that his client had already discontinued the use of the songs, audio tracks, and dialogues from the films, as reported in The Hindu. He said that if the team intends to use such material in the future, it would do so only after obtaining the necessary permissions from the copyright holders.

After recording the statement, Justice Ramamoorthy directed CSK to file an affidavit confirming the undertaking by March 16.

Sun TV Claims Exclusive Rights

In its plaint, Sun TV Network stated that the films Jailer, Jailer 2, and Coolie were produced by its film production arm and that the music composer Anirudh Ravichander had assigned all rights relating to the exploitation of the music to the production company through a written agreement.

The broadcaster submitted a copy of the agreement to the court, with the composer’s remuneration details redacted on the grounds that they formed part of a confidential commercial arrangement.

According to the plaintiff, it was surprised to learn that CSK had used soundtracks and dialogues from the three films in a promotional video released on March 1 to market its IPL 2026 jersey.

Allegation of Commercial Exploitation

Sun TV also informed the court that the jerseys featured in the promotional campaign were priced at ₹2,399 each. The company argued that its copyrighted works had been used without authorisation to support a commercial product launch.

The network has requested the court to issue an injunction restraining CSK from using the material without permission. It has also sought an order directing the franchise to disclose accounts detailing the revenue earned from the allegedly infringing promotional activity.

In addition, Sun TV has asked the court to direct CSK to deposit the revenue connected with the promotion into the court until the civil suit is disposed of, and to pay ₹1 crore as damages for the alleged infringement of copyright.

The most interesting part of this court battle (for me) was that Anirudh has written off the rights of his music to Sun Pictures@ursmusically isn’t it quite unusual at a time when most top composers retain rights to their works? pic.twitter.com/BvlSJqIMVS

— Siddharth Prabhakar (@Sidprabhakar7) March 14, 2026

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The post DMK Family-Linked Sun TV Headed By Sunrisers Team Owner Kavya Maran’s Dad Sues CSK Over Use Of ‘Jailer’ And ‘Coolie’ Music In IPL Jersey Promotion appeared first on The Commune.

Following the success of the Rajinikanth-starrer Jailer at the box office, Kalanithi Maran, the founder and Chairman of the Sun Group, and also the son of Murasoli Maran and grand-nephew of former DMK chief K Karunanidhi, decided to reward the Tamil superstar. He gifted the actor a brand new BMW X7, valued at approximately ₹1.25 crores. Apart from this, Maran, as the owner of Sun Pictures, which has produced the film, presented the actor with a cheque rumoured to be for ₹100 crores. This meeting took place on the evening of 31 August 2023.

#JailerSuccessCelebrations continue! Superstar @rajinikanth was shown various car models and Mr.Kalanithi Maran presented the key to a brand new BMW X7 which Superstar chose. pic.twitter.com/tI5BvqlRor

— Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) September 1, 2023

Mr. Kalanithi Maran met Superstar @rajinikanth and handed over a cheque, celebrating the historic success of #Jailer pic.twitter.com/Y1wp2ugbdi

— Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) August 31, 2023

Film trade analyst Manobala Vijayabalan posted on social media platform X that the envelope given to Rajinikanth by Maran contained a single profit-sharing check worth ₹100 crores from the City Union Bank’s Mandaveli branch in Chennai. Prior to this, Rajinikanth had already allegedly received a remuneration of ₹110 crores for his role in the movie. With a total earning of ₹210 crores for ‘Jailer,’ Rajinikanth now held the title of India’s highest-paid actor, as pointed out by Manobala.

Info coming in that, the envelope handed over by Kalanithi Maran to superstar #rajinikanth contains a single cheque amounting ₹1⃣0⃣0⃣ cr from City Union Bank, Mandaveli branch, Chennai.

This is a #Jailer profit sharing cheque which is up & above the already paid… pic.twitter.com/I6TF6p4SvL

— Manobala Vijayabalan (@ManobalaV) August 31, 2023

However, it’s worth noting that despite this financial success, the temple featured in the same movie remains in a state of disrepair. The Commune had witten about the dilapidated Sanjeevi Rayar Temple which is shown in the opening scene of the film. The temple traces its origins to the Vijayanagar Empire period.

Many have raised concerns whether Rajinikanth will use the money earned to do his bit for the restoration of the ancient temple, as he openly embraces Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and discusses spiritual politics.

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The post Rajinikanth Allegedly Gets ₹100 Cr Cheque And BMW Car From Kalanithi Maran For Jailer Success While Temple Featured In The Film Languishes appeared first on The Commune.