Indian production company Phantom Studios has filed a lawsuit against actor Kangana Ranaut's upcoming sequel, Queen 2, alleging that the project is an unauthorized continuation of the acclaimed 2013 film Queen. According to Gulf News, citing Indian media reports, the production house is seeking INR2.5 billion in damages.
Background of the Dispute
Phantom Studios reportedly first approached JioStar in an attempt to resolve the dispute through settlement discussions. However, after negotiations failed to produce an agreement, the studio decided to pursue legal action. The legal dispute centers on the rights to Queen, which was originally produced by Phantom Films, the now-defunct production company co-founded by Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Madhu Mantena, and Vikas Bahl. The company was dissolved in 2019 following allegations of sexual misconduct against Bahl during India's #MeToo movement.
The Original Film's Success
Released in 2013, Queen emerged as one of Bollywood's most celebrated coming-of-age dramas. Directed by Bahl and headlined by Kangana, the film follows Rani, a young woman who embarks on her honeymoon alone after being abandoned by her fiancé. The film received widespread critical acclaim for its blend of humor, emotional depth, and feminist themes, while Kangana's performance earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress. Queen also proved to be a major commercial success, cementing its status as a modern Bollywood classic.
Announcement of Queen 2
Earlier this year, Kangana announced that Queen would return with a new installment, reuniting her with Bahl. The upcoming project is expected to continue Rani's journey nearly a decade after the events of the original film. Neither Kangana nor the makers of the film have publicly responded to the lawsuit.
