'Dhurandhar': Court orders CBFC to consider Major Mohit's family's objections
The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Board of Film Certification to consider the objections raised by Ashoka Chakra awardee Major Mohit Sharma's family before certifying Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar. The petition was filed by Sharma's parents, who claimed that the film, based on its promos, is widely perceived as a depiction of their son's life, operations, and martyrdom. Major Sharma operated undercover as Iftikhar Bhatt to infiltrate the Hizbul Mujahideen in the early 2000s.
Court's order and producer's clarification
The court's order came after the Centre and CBFC's lawyer Ashish Dixit stated that a certificate for the film is yet to be granted. Jio's lawyer Saurabh Kirpal clarified that it is not a biopic, but fiction. He said, "It's not concerned to [Sharma]. It is based on entirely different people." The court disposed of the petition while directing CBFC to refer the film to the Indian Army for necessary approvals if deemed appropriate.
Sharma's family alleges unauthorized use of his life story
Sharma's family has alleged that Dhurandhar heavily draws from the life, undercover missions, and martyrdom of the officer without their permission or that of the Indian Army. They claim that several elements shown in the film's promotional material replicate key events from Sharma's military career, including classified counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir. The petition also states that "a martyr is not a commercial commodity" and his life cannot be recreated "for profit without truth, dignity, or due permission."
Family seeks stay on 'Dhurandhar's release and mandatory consent
The petitioners want the Delhi High Court to stay Dhurandhar's release until they are given a private screening of the film. They also seek a declaration that filmmakers must obtain consent from a martyr's legal heirs and the Indian Army before creating or releasing any depiction of a real military hero. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, is set against Karachi's Lyari district, a neighborhood historically controlled by rival criminal gangs and terror networks.
Dhar has clarified that the film isn't about Sharma
Dhar earlier clarified that the film does not draw from Sharma's life. He wrote on X, "Our film Dhurandhar is not based on the life of braveheart Major Mohit Sharma AC(P) SM. This is an official clarification." "I assure you, if we do make a biopic on Mohit sir in the future, we will do it with full consent and in complete consultation with the family." The film is slated to release on December 5.