The 2010 Telugu film Khaleja, starring Mahesh Babu and directed by Trivikram Srinivas, faced an unexpected legal battle just days before its theatrical release. While the film later earned cult status for showcasing Mahesh Babu’s comedic timing and a new dimension in his acting, its journey to the big screen was nearly derailed by a title dispute that reached the City Civil Court.
Title Already Registered by Another Party
The dispute arose when a third party approached the court, claiming prior registration of the title Khaleja with the Film Chamber. As the same title had been finalized for Mahesh Babu’s film, the petitioner filed for an injunction, requesting an immediate stay on the film’s release.
Court Considers Interim Compensation
During the hearing, the judge acknowledged the petitioner’s preliminary rights over the title but also recognized the extensive production and promotional efforts already undertaken by the film’s makers. With the release date approaching, the court encouraged both parties to explore an amicable settlement.
The petitioner initially agreed to relinquish the title rights in exchange for ₹10 lakh as compensation. The producers accepted the proposal, and the court adjourned for a lunch break, signaling that final orders would be issued shortly thereafter.
Last-Minute Shift in Demands
In a dramatic turn, the petitioner revised his demand post-break, now seeking ₹25 lakh instead. The producers’ legal counsel expressed concern over the abrupt change and brought it to the judge’s notice, citing the petitioner’s prior commitment.
Court Dismisses Injunction Plea, Allows Release
Taking serious note of the petitioner’s change of stance, the judge dismissed the injunction petition. The court observed that a full-fledged hearing with complete evidence was still pending and could not justify halting the film’s release based on preliminary documents and a withdrawn agreement.
To safeguard against any future legal complications, the film’s producers opted to alter the official title to Mahesh Khaleja, adding the lead actor’s name as a precautionary measure — a practice commonly adopted in the industry during similar disputes.
The film’s release proceeded as scheduled, and a legal setback was averted. A lawyer involved in the case recently revisited the incident in a media interview, describing it as one of the more unusual pre-release legal challenges in Telugu cinema.