FIR filed against Kannada actor-filmmaker Rakshit Shetty for suspected copyright violation

An FIR has been filed against Kannada actor-director Rakshit Shetty for allegedly using two songs of a music company without authorization in his film "Bachelor Party", police said on Monday. A complaint was lodged against Shetty and his production house by Naveen Kumar, who is the partner of MRT Music, at Yeshwanthapura police station. In this regard, a notice has been sent by police to the actor, police said. No immediate comment came from Shetty or his team on the allegation. The movie was directed by Abhijit Mahesh, and the movie was released on January 26 this year. The movie was produced by the actor under his company "Paramvah Studios."

As per the FIR, the complainant had alleged that Shetty used these songs in the movie in violation of the Copyright Act since he did not purchase the rights for their broadcast and ownership. He further claimed that meetings were conducted between the two parties in January this year over the possibility of using these songs in the movie, but they were unsuccessful. "Following a complaint, we have registered a case under the Copyright Act on June 24 against the actor. A notice was also sent to the actor on Sunday in connection with the matter, after we received some documents from the complainant in connection with the case. They have received the police notice today. But since the actor is out of state for his shoot, once he returns we shall record his detailed statement. An investigation is underway," said a senior police officer.