SC Says “Let the Film Be Released,” Delhi High Court Orders Screening of Udaipur Files

By Sulagna Halder

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court of India on 9 July 2025 declined to urgently list a public interest plea seeking a stay on the release of the film Udaipur Files, which centres on the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in 2022. In a brief hearing, the court observed, “Let the film be released,” effectively allowing the scheduled premiere to go ahead without immediate judicial interference.

The plea had been brought by Mohammad Javed, one of eight accused in Lal’s murder case, who argued that the film could impede the ongoing trial by presenting a one sided narrative. Advocate Pyoli, representing Javed, stated:

“The movie is regarding a murder case where the trial is at a crucial stage, Witnesses are being produced and the release of the movie will hamper my right to a fair trial”.

Despite these concerns, Judges Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi chose not to expedite hearing the petition, signalling that the SC would not intervene prematurely.

In response, the Delhi High Court on 10 July requested clarification from parties on the apex court’s remarks, asking whether the Supreme Court had actually authorised the film’s release. A bench led by Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya commented:

“In newspapers we saw the matter was in SC, which was refused, saying ‘let the screening go on’”.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, clarified that the SC had merely declined urgent listing, and had not reviewed the case substance:

“Mentioning was rejected, not the request for stay. The SC did not even see the case file”.

Meanwhile, the High Court ordered the film’s producers to hold a special screening for the petitioners before the theatrical release, allowing them to raise any lingering concerns. This directive followed objections from Jamiat Ulama‑i‑Hind led by Maulana Arshad Madani, who filed a plea claiming the film’s trailer portrayed an entire religious community adversely and might incite communal disharmony.

The petition by Madani have substantially criticized the movie as they believed that the movie reproduces the controversial utterances of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, which previously sparked communal tension all over the country. Also, the movie depicts the religious leaders and scholars affiliated to Deoband as demonic by portraying it as a haven of radicalism as claimed in the plea. It also throws light on a sensitive issue related to Gyanvapi Masjid matter, which itself is pending in court, and could influence the minds of people, when the case is not yet penultimately decided. Of most importance however, the petition notes that certain scenes in the movie are deemed by it as highly objectionable deducing an effect on ensuing hate and social unrest on the basis of certain Muslim clergy members having intercourse with minors which the petitioners say could in turn propagate hate and social riots.

Lawyers representing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting informed the HC that all such contentious content had already been edited out before certification.

The film, starring Vijay Raaz, is slated for release on 11 July. The trial against Lal’s murder suspects is ongoing in Jaipur under the National Investigation Agency, with charges including UAPA and sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The Delhi HC’s request for a special screening will allow petitioners to view the final film and determine whether the edits sufficiently address its concerns. The court will reconvene soon after the screening to consider any further arguments.