The writ petition, filed by 77-year-old Sushila Sharma and 75-year-old Rajendra Prasad Sharma, states that the film, scheduled to hit cinemas on 5 December, is being widely promoted as “inspired by true events” and has been associated with Major Sharma’s undercover operations and martyrdom.
According to the parents, the film’s trailer, promotional interviews and media reports clearly link actor Ranveer Singh’s character to Major Mohit Sharma, who sacrificed his life during a counter-terrorism operation in Kupwara on 21 March 2009.
Calling themselves “humble and grieving parents”, they told the court that they were “deeply shaken” after realising that the filmmakers had “used, portrayed, fictionalised and commercially exploited” the life of their son without ever seeking or attempting to seek their consent.
The petition stresses that the key legal question is not whether the filmmakers verbally deny any link, but whether a reasonable viewer, after watching the trailer and promotional material, would immediately recognise the protagonist as Major Sharma.
The plea argues that the matter raises fundamental concerns under Article 21, including the right to dignity of the deceased, personality and biographical rights, and the government’s responsibility to prevent unauthorised commercial exploitation of national heroes.The respondents named in the petition include:
- Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
- Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI)
- Film director Aditya Dhar
- Jio Studios president Jyoti Deshpande
The petition demands a court order restraining the release, distribution or exhibition of the film until the family watches the unedited version and their objections are addressed. It also asks for the full script, raw footage and promotional material to be presented before the Delhi High Court.
The family further claims that the movie’s depiction of Special Forces operations, military insignia and counter-terror missions makes it mandatory for the filmmakers to secure verification and a No-Objection Certificate from the Army’s ADGPI, something they fear has not been followed.
Expressing serious concern, they have pointed out that some of Major Sharma’s operations are still classified, and that any inaccurate or sensitive depiction could risk national security.
The petition also highlights that numerous mainstream reports and social media discussions are already mapping film characters to real individuals, including Major Mohit Sharma, Ajit Doval, Rehman Dakait, Ilyas Kashmiri and Karachi police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan, which, according to the family, leaves “no doubt” about the film’s real-world basis.
As interim relief, the parents have requested:
- A complete stay on the film’s release,
- A private screening for the family,
- A pause on all promotional activity until the matter is decided.
Inputs from agencies
