Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film ‘Dhurandhar’, directed by Aditya Dhar, has been in the spotlight since its announcement. When the trailer dropped, fans and social media users speculated that the story might be based on real events. Many believed that Ranveer’s character could be inspired by Major Mohit Sharma, the Ashoka Chakra awardee who went undercover as Iftikhar Bhatt to infiltrate Hizbul Mujahideen in the early 2000s.
However, the director clarified in a social media post that Ranveer’s character is not based on Major Sharma. Amid this, Major Sharma’s family has approached the
Delhi High Court, alleging that the film “exploits” the life and service of their son without permission.
Family claims film exploits martyr’s life
According to a report by IANS, the writ petition was filed by 77-year-old Sushila Sharma and 75-year-old Rajendra Prasad Sharma. The couple claims that the film, set to release on December 5, is being presented as “inspired by true events” and has been widely linked to their son’s operations and ultimate sacrifice.
The petition highlights that the trailer, promotional interviews, and media reports unmistakably connect Ranveer Singh's character to Major Sharma, who was martyred during a counter-terror operation in Kupwara on March 21, 2009.
Calling themselves “humble and grieving parents,” they said they were “deeply shaken” to find that the filmmakers had “used, portrayed, fictionalised and commercially exploited” their son’s life without seeking consent.
Petition highlights legal and ethical concerns
“The true legal test is not whether the respondents verbally deny such linkage, but whether a reasonable, ordinary viewer—upon viewing the trailer, promotional material, character design, military background, operational narrative, visual portrayal and storyline—would unmistakably identify the protagonist with the real-life decorated martyr,” the plea said, filed through advocates Roopenshu Pratap Singh and Manish Sharmaa.
The petition raises questions under Article 21, covering the right to dignity of the deceased, personality and biographical rights, and the government’s duty to prevent unauthorised commercial exploitation of a national hero’s life.
Government and filmmakers named as respondents
The petition has named the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), director Aditya Dhar, and Jio Studios president Jyoti Deshpande as respondents. It seeks a writ of mandamus to stop the release, distribution, or exhibition of the film until the family is shown the unedited version and their concerns addressed.
Family raises military content security concerns
The family argued that the depiction of Special Forces operations, military insignia, and counter-terror missions mirrored Major Sharma’s operational history and required verification and No-Objection Clearance from the Army’s ADGPI.
“In the absence of disclosure by the filmmakers, and considering the highly sensitive nature of the military content shown in the film, the petitioners apprehend that the respondents have proceeded without securing the required approvals,” the plea stated.
They also expressed concern for national security, noting that some of Major Sharma’s missions “remain classified in nature.” The petition emphasised that the unauthorised portrayal violated the doctrine of posthumous dignity and the family’s right to reputation under Article 21.
Reel characters linked to real-life heroes
The plea further pointed out that media reports and social media discussions had drawn parallels between Ranveer Singh’s character and Major Sharma. It also mapped other fictional characters in the film to real-life figures, including Ajit Doval, Rehman Dakait, Ilyas Kashmiri, and Karachi police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan. “This consistent reel-to-real pattern leaves no doubt” that the film draws from real persons, the family argued.
Family seeks interim relief from the court
As interim relief, the petitioners are seeking a complete stay on the film’s release. They also want a private screening, access to the full script, raw footage, and promotional material before the Delhi High Court. Additionally, they have requested a temporary halt on all advertising, including trailers, until their concerns are resolved.
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