Late Major Mohit Sharma's Parents Move Delhi High Court To Stay 'Dhurandhar' Film Release

Parents of Ashoka Chakra awardee late Major Mohit Sharma have moved the Delhi High Court seeking urgent stay on the release of the film “Dhurandhar.”

The Ranveer Singh starrer, directed by Aditya Dhar, is slated to release on December 05.

In their petition, the parents have said that the film “appears to be directly inspired” by the life, persona, undercover operations and martyrdom of their son, without their consent.

The petition submits that the trailer, character design, military setting, and narrative of the film “unmistakably mirrors” the real-life operations and sacrifice of Major Mohit Sharma.

Sharma lost his life during a counter-terrorism operation in Kupwara in 2009.

The family has contended that such depiction, without their authorisation, violates their right to privacy, dignity, reputation and the posthumous personality rights of the martyr under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

The parents have said that no prior permission or script vetting was sought from the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), Indian Army.

The Respondents in the plea are Union of India through Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Central Board of Film Certification, ADGPI, Indian Army; Aditya Dhar (Director & Co-Producer), Jio Studios and Jyoti Deshpande (Producer).

Apart from seeking stay of the film, the plea seeks a direction for private screening for the family prior to public release.

The family also seeks a declaration that no film portraying a real military martyr may be released without due authorisation from legal heirs and the Indian Army.