Udaipur Files Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder Film's Release Stayed By Delhi High Court Until Centre Reviews It

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday stayed the release of the film “Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder” until the Central Government decides on the revision application filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind challenging the CBFC’s certification of the film.

The Court states that since the petitioner has been relegated to pursue the revisional remedy, the release must remain on hold until the plea for interim relief is decided.

The film, which is based on the 2022 Udaipur murder incident, was scheduled for release on July 11.

The petitioner had argued that the film could incite communal disharmony and that the certification granted by the CBFC required reconsideration.

What's the controversy around Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder?

The film Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder starring Vijay Raaz is facing legal trouble after several petitions were filed to halt its release, scheduled for July 11. The crime film is based on the 2022 Udaipur murder incident of a tailor named Kanhaiya Lal.

On July 10, the petitioner claimed that the film might provoke communal tension and argued that the CBFC’s certification needed a second look.

In response, the court temporarily paused the film's screening and asked the petitioner to submit a review application to the Central Government challenging the CBFC’s certificate.

The court gave two days to file the application and directed the government to decide within seven days, as per Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, which allows it to suspend or revoke a film’s release in such situations. Until the government gives its verdict, the release of Udaipur Files will stay on hold.

On Wednesday, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) informed the Delhi High Court that it had removed the allegedly objectionable parts from the film.

As reported by Bar and Bench, the Delhi High Court also directed the film’s producer to arrange an urgent private screening of both the movie and the trailer on Wednesday for the lawyers involved.

Maulana Arshad Madani filed a petition arguing that the release of the film Udaipur Files could spark communal unrest and disturb public order, posing a serious threat to the country’s religious harmony.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to urgently list a plea challenging screening of the movie Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder, and said, “Let the film be released.”

The movie's trailer was released on July 4, prompting a plea by one of the accused in the murder case, Mohammed Javed, who is facing trial. He sought a stay on the film's release till the trial in the case, claiming the film's exhibition nationwide will violate the accused's right to fair trial.

Kanhaiya Lal's Son on Udaipur Files controversy

Speaking on the brewing controversy on the upcoming film Udaipur Files, Kanhaiya Lal's son Yash Sahu emphasised that the movie is made to oppose the "terrorist mindset", and does not target any particular religion or community.

Yash Sahu, said, "The movie is releasing on 11th July. There were controversies earlier too, it had to be renamed...Producer and Director did everything possible and showed what happened to my father; how he was killed under a terrorist mindset, under a sleeper cell base...They are terrorists." 

"This movie is against a terrorist mindset, not against a community or religion...It has been 3 years now, and the case has gone cold. I demanded fast track, but it wasn't done. I demanded an NIA Special Court, but it wasn't done. Statements of only 14-15 people have been recorded in 3 years. So, when will the statements of 150 people be taken?... How long will it take for us to get justice?" Sahu added.