‘Dhurandhar’: Delhi HC directs CBFC to consider Major Mohit Sharma's parents’ concerns; urges board to refer the film to the Indian Army

The Delhi High Court on Monday heard the petition filed by the parents of Ashoka Chakra Awardee, the late Major Mohit Sharma. They approached the court asking for the release of the upcoming film ‘Dhurandhar’ to be stopped. Justice Sachin Datta led the hearing and held a detailed discussion with the legal teams representing the petitioners, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the film’s makers.As reported by ANI, during the hearing, Justice Datta asked the petitioners’ counsel to explain how they concluded that the film was based on Major Sharma’s life. The counsel pointed to the film’s trailer and promotional material, adding that reactions from critics and viewers linked the story to the decorated officer. The Court pressed further and asked, “The story is based on his life? What is the uncanny similarity?”Appearing for CBFC, CGSC Ashish Dixit told the Court that the certification process for ‘Dhurandhar’ was not yet complete. He said that the committee had watched the film and found it to be fictional, not connected to any real person.Dixit added that some formalities were still pending and there was a chance that CBFC may refer the matter to the Army. Justice Datta suggested, “Why don't you refer it to the Army anyway?”The petitioners requested that Major Sharma’s family be allowed a private screening of the film. Their counsel argued that the film may be a biopic presented as fiction, making it important for the family to verify the content before release.Senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, representing the filmmakers, said the petition was misplaced. He stressed that only the trailer had been released so far, and the film itself had not been shared publicly. He argued that no injunction should be granted at this stage. Kirpal firmly repeated that the film had no connection to Major Mohit Sharma.At the end of the hearing, the court dictated its order. It recorded that the certification process was still underway with CBFC. The petition was disposed of, with the direction that CBFC must take the concerns of Major Sharma’s parents into account before making a decision. The court added that CBFC could refer the matter to the Armed Forces if needed. It also encouraged the Board to complete the certification process quickly.The petition was filed by Sushila Sharma and Rajendra Prasad Sharma, parents of the late Major Mohit Sharma. They argue that the film, scheduled for release on 5 December, uses the life, persona, military service, and martyrdom of the decorated Para (Special Forces) officer without their permission. According to them, the film is being promoted as “inspired by true events,” and the lead character is said to resemble Major Sharma, including his undercover operations and counter-terror roles.The petitioners claim that the film affects the dignity and posthumous privacy of their son. They also say it violates their right to protect his legacy as a national hero. They worry that depicting sensitive Special Forces missions could create security issues, especially if fictionalized or dramatized without factual verification. The respondents named in the petition include the Union of India, CBFC, ADGPI, director Aditya Dhar, and producer Jyoti Deshpande.‘Dhurandhar’ is described as a Hindi-language spy-action thriller written and directed by Aditya Dhar. The cast includes Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. The film is all set to release on December 5, 2025.Disclaimer: The information in this report is based on a legal hearing as reported by a third-party source. The details provided represent allegations made by the parties involved and are not proven facts. The case is ongoing, and a final verdict has not been reached. The publication does not claim that the allegations are true.