Today, On 17th September, On The Bombay High Court dismissed a PIL seeking to block the release of Jolly LLB 3, which claimed the film mocks the judiciary. The court said, “Don’t worry, we face the mocking right from day one of our judgeships.”
The Bombay High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to block the release of the Bollywood film Jolly LLB 3. The petition claimed that the movie “mocks the judiciary” and undermines the dignity of the courts.
Starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, the film is set to hit theaters on September 19.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that the film’s trailer featured objectionable content, particularly a scene where judges are referred to as “Mamus.”
He contended that such depictions could be seen as a mockery of justice and might adversely affect public perceptions of the judiciary. The petition urged the Court to issue orders to prevent the film’s release until the alleged objectionable content was edited out.
However, a bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad chose not to entertain the petition.
The Court remarked that judges are accustomed to criticism and satire and that such portrayals do not impair their ability to administer justice,
“We face the mocking right from day one of our judgeships. So don’t worry, we are not affected.”
With this statement, the Court dismissed the PIL, emphasizing that artistic expression and cinematic representation cannot be curtailed unless there is clear evidence of contempt or legal violation.
This isn’t the first time Jolly LLB 3 has encountered legal challenges:
- Allahabad High Court: Previously dismissed a similar plea, stating there was “nothing objectionable” in the trailer that could scandalize the judiciary or legal community.
- Madhya Pradesh High Court: Recently reprimanded a lawyer for filing a petition against the film without including the director or producers. This matter is scheduled for a hearing today.
- Gujarat High Court: Another petition is pending, but the Court has instructed the petitioner to review the Allahabad High Court’s ruling before proceeding.
All these petitions share a common argument: that the film “defames the judiciary and legal profession.”
The ongoing controversy around Jolly LLB 3 highlights the ongoing tension between freedom of speech and expression, as protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, and the need to uphold the dignity of the judiciary under contempt law. Courts have consistently favored the protection of artistic expression unless there is a direct and imminent threat to justice.
In a brief but important remark, the Bombay High Court reaffirmed this principle, indicating that judges are not influenced by cinematic satire or parody.
With this ruling, the Bombay High Court cleared the way for Jolly LLB 3 to be released nationwide on September 19, 2025.
The Jolly LLB franchise is one of Bollywood’s most successful courtroom comedy-dramas.
- Jolly LLB (2013): Starring Arshad Warsi, the first part was a sleeper hit, earning nearly Rs 50 crore on a modest Rs 10 crore budget.
- Jolly LLB 2 (2017): Featuring Akshay Kumar, it turned into a superhit with over Rs 200 crore in worldwide collections.
Now, in Jolly LLB 3, the two actors come together for the first time, reprising their respective “Jolly” roles. The film also stars Saurabh Shukla, Huma Qureshi, Amrita Rao, and Annu Kapoor in key roles. Written and directed by Subhash Kapoor and produced by Alok Jain and Ajit Andhare under Star Studio 18, the movie is set to release in theatres on September 19, 2025.
This is not the first time the Jolly LLB series has faced legal scrutiny. In 2017, Jolly LLB 2 also attracted petitions claiming it misrepresented the legal system.