Delhi High Court Directs CBFC to Review Major’s Family Objections

The Delhi High Court has instructed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to carefully consider objections raised by the family of Major Mohit Sharma, a decorated officer killed in a counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir in 2009. The directive, issued on December 1, 2025, comes as the CBFC prepares to review the upcoming film 'Dhurandhar', which is scheduled for release on December 5.

Justice Sachin Datta presided over the case and emphasised the importance of addressing the concerns of Major Sharma's parents. They have expressed apprehension that the film appears to be significantly inspired by their son's life and service. During the proceedings, the judge stated, "The petition is disposed of with a direction that CBFC will consider all the aspects of the matter, including the concerns of the petitioner, before granting certification."

The family has sought a stay on the movie's release, arguing that it was produced without their consent or that of the Indian Army, and that it could violate the dignity and posthumous rights of Major Sharma.

In response, the CBFC's counsel clarified that the film has yet to receive certification, noting that the producers insist it is not a biographical film. The filmmakers reiterated that 'Dhurandhar' is a work of fiction, unrelated to Major Sharma's experiences.

Following the High Court’s order, the CBFC undertook a fresh examination of the film. Their reassessment concluded that 'Dhurandhar' does not directly or indirectly depict Major Sharma's life. According to a recent statement from the Board, they found no basis for the family's objections, affirming that the film is purely fictional and has no factual connections to the officer.

The CBFC's review included a detailed look at whether the film resembles the life or service of Major Sharma. The Board confirmed that 'Dhurandhar' includes a disclaimer indicating that all characters and events are fictitious and do not relate to any actual persons, living or deceased.

Despite the family's claims that the film is being marketed as "inspired by true events", the CBFC has maintained its position that the film does not depict any real military operations or officers. During the court hearing, Justice Datta questioned the petitioners about the basis for their claims, noting that only the film's trailer was available and no substantial evidence had been presented to demonstrate a direct connection between the film and Major Sharma.

The petitioners raised concerns over the representation of sensitive military missions and the potential violation of Major Sharma’s dignity and privacy. However, the filmmakers' legal team argued that the petition was unsubstantiated and reiterated that 'Dhurandhar' is an entirely fictional narrative.

With the CBFC concluding its review and dismissing the family’s objections, the certification process for 'Dhurandhar' is set to progress according to the established guidelines. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, features a prominent cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal. It remains to be seen how this ruling will affect the film's release date and public reception, especially given the sensitive nature of its thematic content.