MUMBAI: The stay order by the Delhi High Court on UTV Motion Pictures regarding shooting for the film Shoebite has been lifted.

Percept Limited had filed a suit against UTV before the Delhi High Court for permanent injunction against the shooting and release of Shoebite alleging that the screenplay and script of Shoebite infringed the copyright of Percept in the screenplay and script Johnny Walker.

On 16 July, the Delhi High Court had passed an ex-parte ad-interim order restraining UTV from shooting the film. In turn, UTV preferred an appeal against the said ex-parte order on 25 August, which was set aside by the appellate bench of the Delhi High Court on the strong contention of UTV that by shooting and exhibiting the film Shoebite, there is no copyright infringement in anyone’s work.

Thus, UTV will be able to commence shooting of the film with immediate effect. Additionally, UTV Motion Pictures has also renamed Shoebite to Johnny Mastana. The movie stars Amitabh Bachchan, Sarika, Jimmy Shergill, Dia Mirza and is directed by Shoojit Sircar. Plans are to release the film on 6 March, 2009.