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The Delhi High Court today refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking change in title of Yash Raj Films' upcoming movie 'Prithviraj' starring Akshay Kumar and Manushi Chillar in the lead.

The bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Neena Bansal Krishna allowed the petitioner, Rashtriya Pravasi Parishad, to withdraw the plea after hearing submissions.

The petitioner's contentions were that the title of the movie was not doing justice to the former emperor's stature and that using the title 'Prithviraj' only was hurting the sentiments of a large number of members of the society. He suggested that the title of the movie should be changed to "Great Emperor Prithviraj Chauhan".

The Parishad also submitted that using the great warrior's name without respectful prefixes is contrary to the Cinematograph Act, however it was not explained how this was so.

The petitioner also contended that the grant of certification to the film is contrary to Section 5-B of the Cinematograph Act, which restricts certification of films which are against “decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence.”

The Petitioner prayed for directions to the producer of the film, Yash Raj Films (YRF) as well as director Mr. Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, among others, to amend the title of the film, and direct the government and the CBFC to revoke the certification granted to the film till such time as the title has been amended.

According to information available, the upcoming movie is a biopic of the legendary warrior king Prithviraj Chauhan and the story revolves around the First Battle of Tarain led by Chauhan.

The TMT Law Practice, representing YRF, highlighted the frivolous nature of the Petition to the court, which sought orders which would infringe the fundamental right guaranteed to YRF under the Constitution of India. While such right can be curtailed as per the procedure established under law, such procedure was laid down under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, violation whereof had not been established by the Petitioner, YRF’s counsel submitted.

In view thereof, the Petitioner withdrew the petition, which was accordingly disposed of as withdrawn.

The movie is scheduled to release in theatres on June 10, sharing updates and posters of which, actor Akshay Kumar recently wrote on Instagram, "Parakram mein Arjun, pratiksha mein bhishma, aise mahaan samrat Prithviraj Chauhan ki bhumika karne ka saubhagya jeevan mein kabhi kabhi milta hai. A role of a lifetime. Samrat #Prithviraj Chauhan arriving in cinemas on 10th June in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu."

Cause Title: Rashtriya Pravasi Parishad & Ors vs Union of India & Ors