The Delhi High Court on Monday conducted a hearing on a significant petition filed by the parents of Ashoka Chakra awardee, the late Major Mohit Sharma. The parents, Sushila Sharma and Rajendra Prasad Sharma, have approached the court seeking a stay on the release of the upcoming Hindi film 'Dhurandhar', scheduled for December 5, 2025.
Court Questions Basis of Film's Alleged Connection
Presiding over the hearing, Justice Sachin Datta engaged in a detailed discussion with the legal teams representing the petitioners, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the filmmakers. A key moment arose when Justice Datta questioned the petitioners' counsel on the evidence linking the film to Major Sharma's life. The counsel cited the film's trailer, promotional material, and public perception that connected the story to the decorated officer.
The court pressed for specifics, asking, "The story is based on his life? What is the uncanny similarity?" This line of inquiry underscored the legal threshold required to establish a direct connection between the fictional narrative and the real-life martyr.
CBFC and Filmmakers Present Their Stand
Appearing for the CBFC, CGSC Ashish Dixit informed the court that the certification process for 'Dhurandhar' was still ongoing. He stated that the examining committee had viewed the film and found it to be a work of fiction, not based on any real individual. Dixit added that some formalities were pending and indicated the board might refer the matter to the Army for consultation. Justice Datta suggested, "Why don't you refer it to the Army anyway?"
Representing the filmmakers, senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal strongly denied any link to Major Mohit Sharma. He argued the petition was premature as only the trailer was public, and no injunction should be granted at this stage. The petitioners, however, countered by requesting a private screening for the family, expressing concern that the film might be a "biopic presented as fiction".
Court's Directive and Underlying Concerns
Concluding the hearing, the court disposed of the petition but issued clear directions. It recorded that the CBFC's certification process was still underway and directed the board to take the concerns of Major Sharma's parents into account before making a final decision. The court also empowered the CBFC to refer the matter to the Armed Forces if deemed necessary and urged an expeditious completion of the certification.
The petition highlights deep-seated worries about the misuse of a war hero's legacy. The parents argue that the film allegedly uses their son's life, military service, persona, and martyrdom without permission, potentially affecting his dignity and posthumous privacy. They also raised alarms about the fictionalized depiction of sensitive Special Forces operations, which could pose security risks if not handled with factual accuracy.
The respondents in the case include the Union of India, CBFC, ADGPI, director Aditya Dhar, and producer Jyoti Deshpande. 'Dhurandhar' is a spy-action thriller featuring a star-studded cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, and Akshaye Khanna.
