Delhi High Court Halts Udaipur Files Release, Orders Centre to Review Film’s Certification

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday blocked the release of the controversial film Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder, starring Vijay Raaz, which was set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025, according to Bar and Bench. The bench, led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal, directed the Central government to review the film’s content under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act amid concerns over its potential to stir communal tensions.

The court’s decision followed petitions, including one from Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, who argued that the film portrays the Muslim community negatively, risking social unrest. The bench instructed petitioners to approach the Central government within two days, allowing them to request interim measures. If a revision petition is filed, the government must review it and decide within a week after consulting the film’s producer.

The court further mandated a stay on the film’s release pending the government’s review, stating, “There shall be stay on release of film” while the revision process under Section 6 is underway.

Udaipur Files is based on the June 28, 2022, murder of Kanhaiya Lal Teli, a tailor in Rajasthan, who was killed in his shop by two men after allegedly sharing a social media post supporting a comment by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma about Prophet Muhammad. The film features Vijay Raaz, Rajniesh Duggal, Preeti Jhangiani, Kamlesh Sawant, Kanchi Singh, Mushtaq Khan, Ehsaan Khan, Puneet Vashistha, Manoj Bakshi, Gagandeep Singh, Sandeep Bose, and others.