The Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar has hit a legal snag days before its scheduled release on December 5, after the family of late Major Mohit Sharma moved the Delhi High Court seeking an immediate stay. The petition claims the film borrows from the decorated soldier’s life and covert operations without the family’s consent.
What the petition argues
The martyr’s family has named several respondents in the plea, including the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification, the ADGPI, director and co‑producer Aditya Dhar, and producer Jio Studios. Key points raised are:
- The film allegedly infringes Major Mohit Sharma’s posthumous personality rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- The family says any unauthorised portrayal violates their right to privacy, dignity and emotional security.
- There is a serious concern that depiction of classified operations could compromise national security by revealing sensitive details from covert missions.
- The petition asks that filmmakers be required to obtain authorization from legal heirs and the Indian Army before releasing films inspired by real‑life military martyrs.
Filmmakers’ response
Director Aditya Dhar addressed social media speculation, firmly denying that Dhurandhar is based on Major Mohit Sharma. On X (formerly Twitter), Dhar said the film is not a depiction of the officer’s life and promised that any future biopic on Major Sharma would be made “with full consent and in complete consultation with the family” to properly honour his sacrifice.
What happens next
The Delhi High Court is expected to list the matter for hearing next week. With the film slated to hit theatres on December 5 and featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Sara Arjun, it remains unclear whether the legal challenge will delay the release.
Why this matters
The case raises broader questions about how filmmakers handle stories that may be inspired by real military personnel. It touches on legal rights of families, national security considerations, and the need for clear guidelines when public service and classified operations are involved.
For now, Bollywood watchers will be keeping an eye on the Delhi High Court calendar and official statements from the film’s producers as the December release date approaches.
