‘Udaipur Files’: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind moves Delhi HC to stop release of film on Kanhaiya Lal murder case
Ahead of the July 11 release of ‘Udaipur Files’ – a film based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal’s murder in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in 2022 — Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, a prominent Muslim organisation, has moved the Delhi High Court seeking to stop its public display.
Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Maulana Arshad Madani, who is also the Principal of Darul Uloom Deoband in western Uttar Pradesh, alleged that the film might lead to communal discord and threaten social harmony as its trailer was replete with dialogues and instances that had led to communal disharmony in 2022.
The film portrayed Deoband as a hub of Islamic radicalism and cast Islamic scholars in a negative role, which threatened the dignity and safety of the community, the petition alleged.
Produced by Amit Jani, ‘Udaipur Files’ has been directed by Bharat S Shrinate. The cast of the film includes actors Vijay Raaz, Rajneesh Duggal, Preeti Jhangiani, Kamlesh Sawant, Kanchi Singh and Mushtaq Khan.
Maintaining that artistic freedom couldn’t be used as a cover for spreading hate or polarising society, the petition warned that the film undermined India’s secular values.
Madani alleged that the film’s trailer released on June 26, 2025, contained inflammatory material.
“The trailer seeks to portray an entire community in a prejudicial manner thereby violating the right to live with dignity for the members of the community. The movie is of highly provocative nature, capable of creating a wedge between the communities which may cause serious disturbance to public peace and public order across the country,” the petition submitted.
Alleging that the film’s trailer distorted facts of tailor Kanhaiya Lal’s murder, implying a conspiracy involving religious figures and institutions, the petition pointed out that the actual perpetrators were two individuals with extremist motives.
“The content of the trailer not only appears to specifically target the Muslim community, by depicting a highly prejudicial and distorted view in order to promote a complete breakage of fraternity, cause communal disharmony, but also deliberately references the sensitive and contentious issue of the Gyanvapi Masjid, which is presently sub judice before the District Court of Varanasi as well as before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” Madani submitted.
Alleged references to controversial remarks made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and portrayal of a current Chief Minister in a biased manner could refuel communal tensions reminiscent of 2022, the petition submitted.
The petition made the Centre, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), production houses and X Corps as parties to the case. It questioned the CBFC’s decision to certify the film on the ground that it violated the Cinematograph Act of 1952 and related guidelines.
Uttar Pradesh