A Mumbai court has agreed to allow mediation in the defamation case filed by Javed Akhtar against Kangana Ranaut.

The Magistrate Court in Bandra has authorized a judge to mediate the dispute. Initially, the case was heard by an Andheri Court but was later transferred to the Special MP Court in Bandra.

During the proceedings, Advocate Jay Bharadwaj, representing Akhtar, and Advocate Rizwan Siddique, representing Ranaut, informed the court that settlement talks were ongoing between the parties. They requested an adjournment with a new hearing scheduled for a month later.

When the case was taken up again on December 9, the court was told that certain disagreements remained unresolved and a settlement was not possible. Consequently, both parties requested the court to allow mediation under the guidance of a judge.

In response, the court granted permission for mediation and set the next hearing for January 21, 2025.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Akhtar in relation to remarks made by Ranaut during an interview on Republic TV, where she discussed a 2016 meeting between herself and Akhtar. In turn, Ranaut filed a cross-complaint, accusing Akhtar of criminal conspiracy, extortion, and invasion of privacy.

In July 2023, the magistrate court dismissed the extortion charges against Akhtar but summoned him on other charges. Akhtar then filed an application in the Sessions Court, which stayed the criminal proceedings until his revision application was heard.

Recently, the Bombay High Court dismissed Ranaut's petition seeking a stay on the defamation proceedings initiated by Akhtar.