Major Mohit Sharma’s Parents Move Delhi HC to Halt Release of Dhurandhar
Family alleges film mirrors Major Sharma’s life without consent and raises concerns over privacy, dignity and national security
Family claims unauthorised portrayal and potential security risks.
The parents of late Major Mohit Sharma, Ashoka Chakra awardee, have moved the Delhi High Court with a plea seeking to stop the release of the upcoming film Dhurandhar. The movie is directed by Aditya Dhar and stars Ranveer Singh, and is scheduled for release on December 5, 2025.
Major Sharma lost his life during a counter-terrorism operation in Kupwara, Kashmir, in 2009.
According to the plea, the film, based on its trailer, promotional material and public interviews, is widely being perceived as portraying the life, military service and martyrdom of Major Sharma. The family states that despite this, the filmmakers did not seek their permission or obtain the required clearance from the Indian Army before proceeding.
The plea argues that this unauthorised portrayal infringes upon the right to privacy, dignity and reputation of both the martyr and his family under Article 21 of the Constitution. It also states that the posthumous personality rights of the late officer continue to exist in law and cannot be used without consent.
The family has stated that the legacy of a decorated soldier “cannot be commercially exploited or fictionalised without the informed consent of his immediate family or compliance with constitutional and legal obligations relating to dignity, privacy and reputation.”
The plea goes on to raise security concerns, noting that some of Major Sharma’s missions involved classified undercover intelligence work. According to the family, even a loosely inspired cinematic version of those operations could risk revealing sensitive methods or patterns linked to national security.
It has further raised apprehension that releasing the film without consultation or oversight could enable adversaries to use the narrative for propaganda or retaliation. It adds that any misrepresentation or sensational portrayal in Dhurandhar may increase the threat perception for the parents, who currently reside in an unprotected civilian neighbourhood.
With Inputs: Hindustan Times