The makers of ‘Udaipur Files : Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder’ expressed disappointment over the High Court’s verdict, stating the film is not meant for entertainment but for justice, highlighting their intent to raise awareness about a serious and real-life incident.
New Delhi: Producer Amit Jani of ‘Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder’ expressed his dissatisfaction with the Delhi High Court’s ruling and announced that they have appealed to the Supreme Court to contest it.
In an interview with media, he stated,
“Humne High Court ke faisle ke khilaaf Supreme Court mein appeal ki hai uske revision ke liye kyunki hum usse santusht nahi hai (We have appealed against the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court for its review because we are not satisfied with it).”
He continued,
“We had appealed to the High Court to watch the film… The justice said that he would watch, but he didn’t. A film is only unlocked in front of the jury or the audience. But they asked us to screen it in front of Kapil Sibal and Maulana Arshad Madani (President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind).”
“It cannot be shown randomly to anyone; however, we obeyed the HC decision… The court only listened to what Kapil Sibal said. He is Madani’s lawyer… We asked the court to come to the screening. They didn’t watch and kept listening to what Kapil Sibal was saying. It was as if Kapil Sibal was writing the verdict…”
He also remarked that Kanhaiya Lal was murdered on camera three years ago, yet there has been no verdict in the case.
“It has been three years since Kanhaiya Lal’s murder. What did his family get from the court? The murderers were bailed, but the family got nothing. But it was decided within three days whether the film would be released or not… If they had taken such a quick decision for Kanhaiya Lal, then we would not have needed to make this film… All of this results in disappointment… Crores of people wanted to watch the movie on July 11. Thousands of screens were houseful… They are only considering what a Madrassa has to say… We will go to the Supreme Court…”
Director Bharat S. Shrinate added,
“When you make non-fiction films, there are controversies. Because a particular community feels that there are certain things in this film, but the censor board does not permit anything like that. This is the first thing. And the second thing is that if the truth is the same, if a community has attacked someone, then it will have to be shown. Now you are saying that we have broken communal harmony. But didn’t you break communal harmony? Didn’t films like ‘PK’ break communal harmony? … Kapil Sibal watched the entire movie… During the hearing, he (Kapil Sibal) made wrong statements concerning the movie… Our movie is already approved by the CBFC…”
He further stated,
“I am saying that this is not a film. This is not for entertainment. This film is for justice. And the central government has come into this. So obviously, I have faith in Modi ji. Modi ji hai to mumkin hai.”
The Delhi High Court had issued a stay on the film’s release the previous day, which will remain in place until the Central Government reviews the revision application filed by Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind against the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal made the interim order while considering two petitions one from Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and another from journalist Prashant Tandon challenging the CBFC’s decision to certify the film.
The petitioners argued that the film’s release could disrupt communal harmony and pose a significant threat to public order, given the sensitive nature of the subject.
The Court noted that since the petitioners were required to seek a revisional remedy under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the film’s release must be stayed until a ruling is reached on their application for interim relief.
The bench stated,
“We provide that till the grant of interim relief is decided, there shall be a stay on the release of the film,”
‘Udaipur Files’ is based on the 2022 murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur, Rajasthan, who was brutally killed in broad daylight by two men allegedly provoked by a social media post supporting former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
The incident caused national outrage and raised serious concerns about radicalization and communal violence.
The petitioners contended that the film sensationalizes the incident and may incite further tensions, especially with elections approaching in several states. While the Court did not assess the film’s merits, it emphasized the need to adhere to legal procedures for challenging CBFC certification and to prevent any irreparable harm during the interim period.