Delhi High Court Refers Dispute Between 'The Emergency' Author, Netflix And Manikarnika Films To Mediation

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday referred to mediation a dispute between Coomi Kapoor- senior journalist and author of the book “The Emergency: A Personal History”, Manikarnika Films and Netflix over alleged breach of contract and damaging her reputation.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora referred the matter to mediation and asked the parties to see if the issue can be settled.

The Court was informed by the counsel appearing for the parties jointly that they would like to consider mediation in the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre before initiation of litigation.

“With the consent of the parties, the matter is referred to the mediation…. List before the mediation centre on May 09,” the Court said.

It further directed that subject to the orders of the judge in charge, the matter be listed before another judge on May 20.

As per a report of Indian Express, Kapoor sent a legal notice to Manikarnika Films and Netflix alleging breach of contract and causing damage to her reputation by stating that the film “Emergency” is based on her book “The Emergency: A Personal History.”

Kapoor's book was published in 2015 by Penguin. It gives a detailed account of the 1975-77 Emergency period. As per Kapoor, the book is based on her extensive research and personal experience.

Kapoor has alleged that the film Emergency, starring Kangana Ranaut, has “historical inaccuracies,” and that her book is being blamed for the same.

It is her case that Manikarnika Films and Netflix breached two clauses she had included in a tripartite contract signed with them.

The clause states that “nothing should be modified that was not in consonance with historical facts on the subject, which are in the public domain.”

As per Kapoor, the contract also stated that the author's name and book should not be used for promoting or exploiting the book without the author's written consent.

The film Emergency on Netflix, comes with a disclaimer: “The film is inspired by the book 'The Emergency' by Coomi Kapoor and 'Priyadarshani' by Jaiyanth Vasant Shinde.”

The said disclaimer towards the end reads, “The film 'Emergency' is based on the books “The Emergency” by Coomi Kapoor and “Priyadarshani” by Jaiyanth Vasant Shinde.”

Title: Coomi Kapoor v. Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP & Anr. 

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 524