The Union government has granted conditional approval for the release of Udaipur Files, a controversial film dramatizing the 2022 murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Rajasthan, even as the Supreme Court on Wednesday continued an interim stay on its release citing potential communal implications.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi took note of the Centre’s recent decision but clarified that the clearance would remain subject to judicial scrutiny. “Centre’s order will be binding, unless you challenge it and your plea is allowed,” the bench told senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for the film’s producers, Jani Firefox Media Limited.
The court scheduled the next hearing for July 24, allowing the petitioners time to respond to the Centre’s conditional nod.
The film has drawn strong objections from various quarters, including Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani and one of the accused in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case. Represented by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Menaka Guruswamy respectively, the petitioners argued that the film could inflame communal sentiments and prejudice ongoing legal proceedings.
In response to the Supreme Court’s earlier directive, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting set up a high-level review committee on July 14 to re-examine the certification granted to the film by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). After reviewing the film, the panel recommended six additional modifications beyond the 55 cuts already implemented.
These include:
- Replacement of the existing disclaimer with a newly worded version, with voice-over narration.
- Removal of credit frames thanking specific individuals.
- Deletion or modification of a scene resembling an “AI-generated Saudi Arabia-style execution.”
- Replacement of the name “Nutan Sharma” throughout the film and its promotional materials.
- Deletion of certain dialogues carrying communal stereotypes.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, informed the court that the government had taken a considered decision on the revision petitions, though he was interrupted while cautioning against further judicial overreach.
The CBFC had earlier defended its clearance, stressing that Udaipur Files was a fictionalised account inspired by real events and not a depiction of actual individuals or communities. The board had mandated 55 edits, removed provocative visuals, inserted disclaimers, and replaced terms like “Rajasthan” with more generic labels such as “Rajya.” It also noted that the controversial trailer was withdrawn on July 2 following a show-cause notice.
The film traces the events leading to the gruesome murder of Kanhaiya Lal in June 2022 after he posted support for Nupur Sharma’s controversial comments on Prophet Muhammad. The assailants, who recorded the killing, have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The matter is pending before a special NIA court in Jaipur.
The legal battle reached the apex court after the Delhi High Court, on July 10, stayed the film’s release while allowing Madani to petition the Centre for revocation of its CBFC certification. The producers then moved the Supreme Court, arguing that the stay order lacked detailed reasoning and was based solely on a private screening.
Senior advocate Bhatia emphasized that the film did not target any community and had undergone rigorous editing, including the removal of references to the Gyanvapi mosque and Nupur Sharma.
However, the petitioners remained unconvinced. Guruswamy warned that the film might influence the ongoing criminal trial of her client, while Sibal argued that it amounted to a communal provocation.
