In a last-minute decision on 10 July 2025, the Delhi High Court issued a stay on the release of the film Udaipur Files, which was set to premiere on 11 July 2025. The stay will remain in effect until the central government evaluates petitions calling for a permanent ban on the film due to concerns it may incite social unrest.
The decision was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal, who instructed the petitioners to submit their concerns to the central government within two days. The court noted that the petitioners had not yet pursued this formal route.
“Until the central government reviews the interim relief request submitted along with the revision petition, the release of the film shall remain stayed,” the bench ruled.
During the proceedings, senior advocate Kapil Sibal urged the court to preview the film, which is based on the 2022 murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal. Sibal described the film as “vicious” and referred to it as “cinematic vandalism,” arguing that it has the potential to reignite communal tensions.
Among the petitioners is Maulana Arshad Madani, president of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and principal of Darul Uloom Deoband. The petitions contend that the film’s trailer, released on 26 June, contains provocative content and language similar to elements that contributed to communal unrest in 2022.
Sibal strongly criticized the film, stating, “This is harmful to the country. Please don’t allow such destructive content to reach the public. This is not art; it’s an incitement.”
He also claimed that the film’s producer has a history of creating content that promotes hate.
The court observed that the film’s trailer included content previously ordered to be removed. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), assured the bench that appropriate legal action would be taken if necessary.
The bench instructed the petitioners to file a formal revision petition with the central government by the following Monday. It further directed the government to make a decision within a week after hearing both sides, including the producer.
The court emphasized that approving films is primarily the responsibility of expert bodies, and that judicial involvement should be minimal in such matters.
The ASG argued in defense of the film, stating it is a fictionalized account inspired by real events and grants limited artistic freedom. According to him, the movie is not aimed at any particular community but rather exposes how communal unrest is allegedly orchestrated from across the border.
“This film is a warning showing how foreign elements attempt to disturb India’s peace,” Sharma said. “It’s crime-oriented, not community-targeted.”
In response to the court’s questioning of its relevance, Sharma reiterated, “It’s a crime drama that encourages harmony and warns against division. If that’s controversial, I have no further comments.”
The film’s producer maintained that the narrative aligns with common India-Pakistan themes and accused the petitioners of misrepresenting the film by quoting dialogue out of context. Earlier, on 9 July, the court had directed the filmmakers to organize a private screening for the petitioners.
The film centers around the murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor from Udaipur who was killed in June 2022. The assailants, Mohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghous reportedly targeted him for allegedly supporting a controversial statement made by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on social media. The attackers released a video claiming responsibility for the killing. The case is under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the suspects are being prosecuted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The trial is ongoing in the NIA special court in Jaipur
(With inputs from Business Standard)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.