Jeetu Joseph’s Mohanlal-starrer Drishyam 3 is getting ready to hit screens this May. Even as the film remains postponed from April, Amazon published a notice warning legal action against producers Aashirvad Cinemas and any other entity over the digital rights of the Malayalam film. They also reminded the producers of all the rights they hold for the third film in the installment.
Amazon Prime Video threatens legal action over Drishyam 3
The official Prime Video account posted a public notice on its social media, captioned “Caution.” The notice reads: “Notice is hereby given that Amazon Seller Services Private Limited (Amazon), pursuant to the valid exercise of its rights under subsisting agreements between Aashirvad Cinemas and Amazon, is the sole and exclusive holder of all digital rights (including but not limited to SVOD, TVOD, AVOD, FVOD and EST) in the film “Drishyam 3” (Malayalam) (The Film).”
It further adds: “The public is hereby cautioned that Amazon holds these rights to the exclusion of all others, and Aashirvad Cinemas (including its assignees, licensees and any other person purportedly authorized by Aashirvad Cinemas) has no authority to sell, license, or in any manner create any third-party interest, lien, or charge over the digital rights for the Film. Any person, entity, or digital platform dealing with the Film or its digital rights in contravention of Amazon’s exclusivity shall do so at their own risk, cost, and consequences.”
The note ends with: “Amazon reserves the right to initiate appropriate legal proceedings, including seeking injunctive relief and damages, against any party found to be infringing upon its exclusive rights or interfering with its contractual relationship regarding the Film.”
Explaining the digital rights Prime Video holds
While Antony Perumbavoor of Aashirvad Cinemas hasn’t publicly responded to the notice, it seems like the filmmakers explored other avenues to sell their digital rights besides Amazon. The 2013 hit Drishyam is available to stream on JioHotstar, but the 2021 sequel, Drishyam 2, was released directly on Prime Video due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, Amazon holds the digital rights for the third film when it comes to SVOD (subscription video on demand), where it can be watched with a platform subscription fee; TVOD (transactional video on demand), where the user rents the movie; AVOD (ad-supported video on demand), where users have to put up with ads despite subscription; FVOD (free video on demand), where a user can watch without subscription; and EST (electronic sell-through), where the user can buy the movie without the expiry that comes with renting.
The notice warns the producer of Drishyam 3, along with anyone else involved, against cutting any other digital deals, even threatening legal action if not heeded. Drishyam 3 was supposed to hit screens on April 2 but was postponed to May 21 to coincide with Mohanlal’s birthday amid the West Asia conflict. Meena, Ansiba Hassan and Esther Anil will also reprise their roles in the film. Drishyam 2 is getting a theatrical release for the first time on April 10.
