A court here Thursday banned the release of new Hindi film "Pyar Me Twist" across the country on the grounds that it was a virtual copy of the award-winning Kannada film "Preethi Prema Pranaya".

The 13th Additional Civil Court judge issued an ex-parte injunction restraining the producer and director of the Hindi film from exhibiting it in any picture hall across the country on a petition filed by Kannada film's producer Kavita Lankesh Wednesday.

The Hindi film starring Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, which was to be released Friday, is produced by Sahara Entertainment Picture Company and Percept Picture Company, Mumbai. It's directed by Hrudaya Shetty.

"When we learnt the Hindi film, which appears to be a remake of our original film in Kannada, is being released in theatres across the country Friday, we sought a legal ban since its producer or director did not take our permission," told Lankesh.

"We have moved the court in time to seek a perpetual injunction against its release since a similar film in Kannada was already made and released in 2003."

According to her lawyer B.T. Venkatesh, the Kannada hit film featuring Ananth Nag and Bharathi Vishnuvardhan went on to win the National Award in the regional category last year.

"The court's order has been faxed to the producer and director to stop the release. They have also been informed telegraphically. We have raised objection to its release, as it is a virtual copy of the Kannada film, which was written, directed and produced by Kavita," he said.

"Neither the producer nor the director of the Hindi film wrote to my client seeking written permission before taking up shooting. We have raised objection to its release."