Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film Dhurandhar has encountered a legal challenge just days before its scheduled release. The family of the late Major Mohit Sharma has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, requesting an immediate stay on the film’s release. According to reports by Bar and Bench, the family alleges that the filmmakers have drawn from Major Sharma’s life and covert operations without obtaining their consent.
The controversy gained traction on social media recently, with speculation that Dhurandhar might be loosely based on Major Mohit Sharma. In response, director Aditya Dhar issued a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), firmly denying any such connection. He wrote, “Our film Dhurandhar is not based on the life of braveheart Major Mohit Sharma AC(P) SM. This is an official clarification. Should we make a biopic on Major Sharma in the future, it will be made with full consent and consultation with the family, honoring his sacrifice and legacy.”
The petition names several respondents, including the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification, the ADGPI, director and co-producer Aditya Dhar, and producer Jio Studios. The family claims the film violates Major Sharma’s posthumous personality rights under Article 21 of the Constitution, infringing on their rights to privacy, dignity, and emotional security. A key concern raised is the potential disclosure of sensitive information related to Major Sharma’s covert missions.
The family warns that any depiction of classified operations could jeopardize national security and reveal confidential details integral to his service. Additionally, the family is seeking a broader directive mandating filmmakers to obtain authorization from both the legal heirs of military martyrs and the Indian Army before releasing films based on their lives.
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the case next week. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar, featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, and Sara Arjun, is set for theatrical release on December 5. Whether the legal proceedings will impact the film’s release remains uncertain.
