About.
Madhu enjoys 21 years of experience. She heads the media and technology practice at the firm. Her clients rely on her to decisively act in their best interest to align with their larger business objectives.
Madhu has worked on very prominent media, technology, gaming, sports and data protection advisory and contentious matters.
Madhu draws on her rich body of prior experience, where she has represented both sides, on a negotiation table. Her core expertise is Media and Entertainment, Intellectual Property Rights and Banking and Finance. For the IPR practice, she has represented some of the largest production houses, film studios (including Hollywood studios), television channels/ broadcasters, digital media companies and content aggregators.
She has represented the Indian Broadcasting Federation and a host of associations of television and film producers including IFTPC and IMPAA and Producers’ Guild.
On the Banking and Finance side, she has represented some of the largest Financial Institutions and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). She has represented clients in some of the largest claims before the Debt Recovery Tribunal, under the Indian Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
She has been instrumental in structuring complicated financing-cum-distribution deals, production and co-production deals for Bollywood production houses and Hollywood studios.
On the disputes side, Madhu has represented clients before the Supreme Court of India and High Courts across various states and other key forums including National Company Law Tribunal.
Indicative Matters.
- Advised and represented Mr. Amitabh Bachchan in safeguarding his name, image, voice, likeness and other personal attributes which the third parties were unlawfully exploiting.
- Advised and represented Arha Media and Broadcasting Private Limited in a John Doe action seeking to restrain unlawful exploitation of their show “Unstoppable” which is streamed on its OTT platform “Aha” by any unauthorised third parties.
- Advised and represented Mr. Prakash Jha, the producer of the film “Aarakshan” which was banned by 3 states on the ground that the contents of the film may create public unrest and disharmony.
- Represented Viacom18 Media Private Limited and the producers and distributors of the film 'Padmaavat' in various matters from the High Courts to the Supreme Court, arising from multiple FIRs and state bans.
- Represented Phantom Films Private Limited in a landmark order against the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), regarding the extensive delay and cuts proposed for the film ‘Udta Punjab’ by the CBFC.
- Represented Mr. Hussain Zaidi and Ms. Jane Borges, authors of the book “Mafia Queens of Mumbai” which was adapted into a popular cinematograph film called “Gangubai Kathiawadi” before multiple courts and defended claims from stay of sale of the books and the film.
- Represented and defended Luker Electric Technologies Private Limited in a design infringement suit filed by Atomberg Technologies before the Bombay High Court whereby Atomberg was alleging infringement of their fan design.
- Represented Allu Arvind in a suit filed by Rajneesh Jaiswal where he alleged unlawful access having been obtained by Allu Arvind of his script registered with SWA (Screen Writers Association).
- Advised and represented Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited (T-series) in a matter filed by Ravi Mallesh Bohra seeking a stay of release of the film, “Mumbai Saga” since it affected his right to a fair trial.
- Represented the Balaji Motion Pictures and producers of the film, “Lipstick Under my Burkha” before the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, which the Central Board of Film Certification had refused to certify.
- Represent Quantum Advisors Pvt Ltd, before the Bombay High Court for a trademark infringement suit wherein claims are raised against Quant Mutual Fund advisors for trademark infringement for the infringing use of the mark “Quant”, wherein the Courts have reserved orders for Interim Relief.
- Represented the authors of the book “Mafia Queens of Mumbai” viz. Mr. Hussain Zaidi and Ms Jane Borges, before City Civil Court, Bombay High Court and Supreme Court, whose book is adopted into the cinematograph film produced by Bhansali Productions - “Ganguba Kathiawadi” and defended claims from stay of sale of books and the cinematograph film.
- Representing “GOFirst” a domestic airline in trademark infringement litigation before the Bombay High Court for obtaining restraining orders.
- Advised Tata Sky Limited conducted research and drafted a gaming law opinion with pan-India analysis in respect of state-bans for online gaming and state restrictions imposed for introducing online gaming in specific territory.
- Advised and assisted MSM Discovery in acquiring a film library of more than 100 films for satellite telecast.
- Advised and represented Viacom18 Media in drafting of pleadings, research, filing of pleadings, arguing merits of the case before the City Civil Court and the Bombay High Court.
Key Capabilities.
Technology, Media & Telecommunication (TMT)
Banking & Finance
Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs),
Insolvency & bankruptcy
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Non-conventional Media practice (like Digital Platforms)
Debt Recovery
Education/Qualifications.
LL.B, Mumbai University, J.C. Law College, Mumbai
B.H. Sc., SVT University