Centre’s suggested Six changes implemented: Udaipur Files Producer informs Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Monday deferred hearing in the petitions relating to the release of the film Udaipur Files, which had been stayed by the Delhi High Court shortly before its scheduled theatrical release.
The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing cross-petitions; one by the producers of the film challenging the stay order, and another seeking to uphold the interim injunction.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central Government, informed the Bench that orders had already been passed in the revision petition. "A step more would be infringing upon that process, is my personal opinon" he cautioned.
Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for the petitioners opposing the release, responded, “We are contesting that order."
“Place the order on record, and we will take it up later,” Justice Kant said, listing the matter for further hearing on Thursday, July 24.
Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for the producers, told the Court that six changes had been suggested to the film and that all of them had been implemented.
Appearing for the petitioners challenging the film’s release, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal was also present during the hearing.
Previously
On July 16, the deferred hearing on pleas, it decided to wait for the outcome of ongoing proceedings before the Central Government on a revision petition under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act.
Interestingly, on July 15, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear on July 16, a petition filed by an accused Mohammad Javed, in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case seeking stay on release of movie “The Udaipur Files: Kanhaiyalal Tailor Murder”, and on July 14, the Supreme Court had agreed to list a plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s interim order staying the release of the film Udaipur Files, which was scheduled to hit theatres shortly before the injunction was passed.The petitioners include Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and journalist Prashant Tandon.
Earlier, on July 9, the High Court had directed the producer of Udaipur Files, Amit Jani, to arrange a private screening of the movie and its trailer for all counsel of both parties, after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had informed the court that it had mandated 40 to 50 cuts before granting certification.
The High Court had also clarified that the manner in which the case against release had been reported in media was not what truly happened in the hearing before the Supreme Court, with portals reporting that the court had asked for it to be released.
Stay on the release of the film Udaipur Files had received strong criticism from Kanhaiya Lal’s son, Yash Sahu.
Case Title: Mohammad Javed v. UOI and Jani Firefox Media v. Maulana Arshad Madani
Hearing Date: July 21 2025
Bench: Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi