The court has scheduled the hearing for the ‘Udaipur Files’ case on Monday, according to Amit Jani, the film’s director.
The case centres on objections raised against the film, which is based on the murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Kumar. Kanhaiya Kumar was reportedly killed because he shared a social media post supporting BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
Nupur Sharma’s controversial remarks in 2022 sparked widespread debate across the country.
Accused Javed Madni has petitioned the Supreme Court to block the film’s release.
Amit Jani told IANS, “The court has set Monday as the hearing date, and we await the judgment on the appeal presented by Madni. Our legal representatives will provide updates as the case progresses.”
Despite receiving a censor certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the film faces ongoing legal challenges. The CBFC initially ordered 150 cuts to the film, though some cuts have since been made. The matter remains sub judice.
Mohd Rizwan Ahmad, legal counsel for Amit Jani, explained that when the respondents approached the High Court with a petition, the court granted an immediate stay. The petitioners were then directed to appeal under the Government of India’s Revision Provisions 6A.
He said, “A committee was formed and met to review the case. Out of the requested cuts, 55 have already been implemented. The Supreme Court has agreed to keep the matter pending, refraining from interference at this stage.”
Courtroom Arguments on Content and Community
Ahmad also highlighted the arguments presented during the hearing. Defence counsel Gaurav Bhatia argued technical points in response to claims by Kapil Sibal, who labelled the film as hateful and accused it of vilifying the Muslim community.
Ahmad stated, “I explained that the film distinguishes between religion and community. In fact, the film does not vilify Islam or Muslims as a whole. Several Muslim characters appear, including two who were killed protecting humanity.”
He added that a dialogue in the film states, “Now the Muslims of India are not going to listen to the talks of Pakistan,” underscoring the film’s nuanced approach.
As the court prepares for the hearing, the film’s makers remain hopeful for a positive outcome. They seek a resolution balancing freedom of expression with sensitivity to community concerns.
The ‘Udaipur Files’ case continues to spark debate on censorship, artistic freedom, and the portrayal of sensitive social issues in Indian cinema.
This hearing marks a critical moment for the film’s future and reflects broader discussions on creative expression and societal responsibility within India’s film industry.
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