M/S.Shanti Telefilms v. M/S.Joy Filmbox Entertainment

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 16.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH M/s.Shanti Telefilms New No.111, Old No.45, Rangarajapuram Main Road Kodambakkam, Chennai 600 024 Rep. by its Partner Mr.Kamal Bohra .. Petitioner Vs.

M/s.Joy Filmbox Entertainment Ceebros Apartment No.2A4 Saravana Street, T.Nagar Chennai 600 017 Rep. by its Partner Mr.A.John Britto .. Respondent PRAYER Arbitration Original Petition (Com.Div.) filed under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, praying to appoint a Sole arbitrator to adjudicate over the dispute arising out of the Film Assignment Agreement dated 28.01.2022.

For Petitioner : Mr.Arun C.Mohan

O R D E R

This petition has been filed under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') to appoint an arbitrator to resolve the dispute arising out of the Film Assignment Agreement dated 28.01.2022.

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2. When this petition came up for hearing, this Court passed the following order:

"This petition has been filed under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') to appoint an arbitrator to resolve the dispute arising out of the Film Assignment Agreement dated 28.01.2022.

2. The agreement provides for referring the dispute for Arbitration under Clause 8 and the same is extracted hereunder:- "GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION (i) In case of any dispute or differences between the parties, the parties shall refer the matter to the Arbitration of a sole Arbitrator, if the parties agree upon the sole arbitrator or to a panel of three arbitrators, one to be appointed by each party and the third arbitrator is appointed by the other two arbitrators as Presiding Arbitrator. The Arbitration shall be at Mumbai and shall be governed by the provisions of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 or any statutory modification or enactment thereof for the time being in force.

(ii) Subject to the provision of clause 31 herein above mentioned, the Courts having jurisdiction under the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 to determine all matters which the Court is entitled to determine under the Act, including, without limitation, provision of interim relief under the provisions of Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, shall exclusively be the Courts at Chennai, India."

3. The trigger notice under Section 21 of the Act was issued on 06.10.2025 and the same has also been received by the respondents. Since there was no response, the present petition has been filed before this Court.

4. Notice to the respondents returnable by 02.02.2026. Private notice is also permitted.

Post this petition for hearing on 02.02.2026." 2/4

3. After service of notice, a counsel appeared and undertook to file vakalath. Till date, no vakalath has been filed. Hence, there is no representation for respondent either in person or through counsel. This Court finds that there is a valid agreement between the parties and the agreement contains an arbitration clause.

4. In view of the above, this Court appoints Hon'ble Dr.Justice R.N.Manjula, Former Judge, High Court of Madras, Vedhamayur, 32, Kamaraj Nagar, 2nd West Street, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041 [Mobile No.99407 90290] as the sole Arbitrator and the Hon'ble Sole Arbitrator is requested to adjudicate the arbitral disputes that had arisen between the parties and render arbitral award by holding sittings in the 'Madras High Court Arbitration Centre under the aegis of this Court' (MHCAC) as per Madras High Court Arbitration Proceedings Rules 2017 and fee of Hon'ble Sole Arbitrator shall be in accordance with the Madras High Court Arbitration Centre (MHCAC) (Administrative Cost and Arbitrator's Fees) Rules 2017. Accordingly, this petition is disposed of.

16.02.2026 Index:yes/no Speaking Order/Non-speaking order NCC:yes/no gm 3/4

N.ANAND VENKATESH, J gm 16.02.2026 4/4