‘Dhurandhar’ row: Slain Army Major’s parents claim film based on their son, Delhi HC asks CBFC to consider objections

CBFC’s counsel said the filmmakers have given a declaration that it is not a biopic and there’s a disclaimer in the film that it’s based on fiction.

Actor Ranveer Singh in a still from Dhurandhar (File photo)

Ahead of the scheduled release of the film ‘Dhurandhar’, the Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to consider the objections raised by the parents of late Major Mohit Sharma who claim the film is based on their slain son.

Major Sharma was killed in 2009 on the line of duty while conducting operations targeting terrorist groups in the Kashmir Valley. His parents, in their petition, sought protection of their son’s legacy and persona, and were also seeking that the film be privately screened for the family before release.

Disposing of a petition by Sushila Sharma and Rajendra Prasad Sharma, Justice Sachin Datta also kept it open for the CBFC to refer the film to the authorities concerned of the Indian Army for a clearance from them.

With a star-cast featuring Ranveer Singh, the film is scheduled for nation-wide release on Friday.

The CBFC has recommended 10 cuts in the film. The Board’s counsel Ashish Dixit also informed the court that while a certificate has not yet been granted to the film and is under process, the filmmakers have given a declaration that it is not a biopic and there’s a disclaimer that the film is based on fiction.

Dixit, who was also appearing for the Indian Army, further submitted that upon a review by the CBFC committee, the film was not found to be a biopic. It was further submitted that the Indian Army, too, has no objection to the release of the film.

Additionally, senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, representing Jio Studios, the producer of the film, also submitted that although the film is inspired by true events, it has nothing to do with the life and persona of Major Sharma and is rather set in the backdrop of the Karachi underworld.

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Highlighting that “certain missions conducted by Major Sharma, including undercover operations and human intelligence-based interventions, remain classified in nature and have not been disclosed even to the general public, much less for commercial entertainment”, the petitioners have submitted that “any cinematic representation loosely based on such operations, whether factually correct or imagined can inadvertently reveal patterns, methods, terrain references, tactical doctrines, or unit capabilities that are sensitive to national security.”

It was also submitted that the release of the film “may provide adversaries with narratives that could fuel propaganda, retaliation, or targeted threats” and “may elevate the threat perception against the petitioners, who presently remain unprotected and live in a civilian residential neighbourhood.”