The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to consider the objections raised by the parents of Major Mohit Sharma — the decorated Army officer killed in a 2009 counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir — before certifying the upcoming film Dhurandhar. The Ranveer Singh-starrer is scheduled for release on December 5.
Justice Sachin Datta disposed of the petition filed by the martyr’s parents and said the CBFC must examine all concerns before taking a final decision on certification. The court also said the board may seek inputs from the Indian Army if required.
The petitioners have sought a stay on the film’s release, alleging that Dhurandhar appears to be directly inspired by Major Sharma’s life, operations and martyrdom, without any consent from the family or approval from the Army. They argued that the film’s trailer, character design, military environment and storyline mirror his real-life missions, violating the family’s right to privacy, dignity and the officer’s posthumous personality rights.
During the hearing, CBFC’s counsel informed the court that certification had not yet been granted. Representatives of Jio Studios, the film’s producer, maintained that Dhurandhar is a work of fiction and not a biopic, adding that the CBFC has suggested certain cuts.
The petition also raised national security concerns, saying the movie portrays sensitive counter-terror strategies, infiltration patterns and special forces operations. It further requested either a complete stay on release or, alternatively, a private screening for the family before public release.
The respondents named in the plea include the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, CBFC, the Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information, director Aditya Dhar and Jio Studios.
