“We consider this a significant development. The outcome speaks for itself”: Lawyer reacts as Bombay High Court sets aside IMPPA award against Nikhil Dwivedi’s Saffron Magicworks

Justice Arif S. Doctor sets aside the July 3 IMPPA award and disposes of the suit in a significant legal victory for the production banner.

In a major legal relief for producer Nikhil Dwivedi and his production banner, Saffron Magicworks, the Bombay High Court has set aside an award the Dispute Resolution Committee of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) passed against the company. The production house had approached the court to challenge the IMPPA award dated July 3, 2026. Taking up the matter, the Bombay High Court ruled in favor of Saffron Magicworks and officially disposed of the suit, bringing the legal proceedings to a close.

Justice Arif S. Doctor passed the order on October 23, 2026. This final ruling comes on the heels of an interim order passed by the court on September 9, 2026, which had protected Saffron Magicworks by restraining IMPPA from declaring the banner a defaulter based on the disputed award.

Addressing the outcome of the case, Madhu Gadodia for Anand & Naik, representing Saffron Magicworks, issued an official statement:
“Our client, Saffron Magicworks Private Limited, approached the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in proceedings challenging the award dated 3 July 2026 passed by the Dispute Resolution Committee of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA).
By an order dated 23 October 2026, the Hon’mid Mr. Justice Arif S. Doctor of the Bombay High Court set aside the award and disposed of the suit.
The proceedings were instituted against the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association and Defendant No. 2. Saffron Magicworks Private Limited was represented by Mr. Rashmin Khandekar, Mr. Dhruva Gandhi, Madhu Gadodia, Mr. Vivek Dwivedi, Ms. Vinita Dandekar and Mr. Aryan Garg, instructed by Anand and Naik.
We consider this a significant development. The outcome speaks for itself.”

The resolution marks a decisive conclusion to the dispute, confirming that the award stands set aside and no further proceedings remain pending in the suit.