Kamal Ghorui
In a significant development in the Rs 10 crore defamation case filed by music composer and singer Palaash Muchhal, the Bombay High Court has restrained Marathi actor Vidnyan Mane from making defamatory remarks against the composer.The interim relief comes after Muchhal moved the court alleging that Mane made “false” and “outrageous” accusations in the media, which he claimed damaged his reputation.Welcoming the court’s order, Muchhal’s advocate Shreyansh Mithare described it as a “relief” and said the matter now requires proper legal scrutiny.
‘This is a personal attack on Palaash’
Speaking about the controversy, Mithare told ANI, “There has been a lot of controversy about Palaash Muchhal, especially surrounding his marriage. But now both the families have chosen their own paths, and Palaash is trying to move on with his life. This controversy is not about the two parties but from a third party. A man named Vidnyan Mane from Mumbai’s Sangli has claimed to have given Rs 40 lakhs to Palaash for making a film. He also claimed that the money has not been returned.”He further stated that Mane’s remarks went beyond a commercial disagreement and entered the realm of personal allegations.“Vidnyan Mane has made some defamatory statements in the media. He has also made some allegations about Palaash’s marriage. This is a personal attack on Palaash. We had sent him a defamation notice of Rs 10 crores. After he didn’t stop making such statements, we reached out to the High Court, which has now issued a restraining order. The court has restrained Mane from talking about Palaash and his family to the media until the case is decided,” Mithare said.Mane has been directed to present his statement with supporting evidence before the court on March 11.“I think that the third person, Vidnyan Mane, must be investigated on the basis of what he is saying and why he is doing it. Palaash is a strong boy and is mentally prepared to fight the matter legally,” the advocate added.
What the complaint states
According to the complaint, Muchhal met Mane in Sangli on December 5, 2023, after the latter showed interest in investing in film production. Muchhal allegedly suggested that Mane could invest in his upcoming project Nazaria as a producer. He is said to have informed Mane that after the film’s release on OTT platforms, he could earn a profit of Rs 12 lakh on an investment of Rs 25 lakh and also offered him a role in the film.The two reportedly met twice thereafter, and by March 2025, Mane allegedly paid a total of Rs 40 lakh. The project, however, did not materialise, following which Mane demanded a refund but allegedly received no response. He subsequently approached the Sangli police and also levelled allegations concerning Muchhal’s personal life. Muchhal’s legal team, including advocates Siddesh Bhole and Shreyansh Mithare, submitted before the court that while there may have been a commercial dispute, the public statements made by Mane — including references to an alleged incident dated November 23, 2025 — harmed not only the composer’s reputation but also that of his family members.With the High Court’s restraining order now in place, the matter will proceed in court, where Mane is expected to present his defence backed by evidence.
