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Udaipur Files

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Udaipur Files
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
  • Bharat S. Shrinate
  • Jayant Sinha
[1]
Written by
  • Bharat Singh
  • Jayant Sinha
  • Amit Jani
Based onthe 2022 murder of Kanhaiya Lal
Produced byAmit Jani[2]
Starring
Cinematography
  • Vasantha Kumar A
  • Mukesh G.
Production
company
Jani Firefox Films
Distributed byReliance Entertainment
Running time
125 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Udaipur Files is an upcoming Hindi-language crime thriller film directed by Bharat S. Shrinate and Jayant Sinha, and written by Amit Jani, Bharat Singh, and Jayant Sinha and distributed by Reliance Entertainment. The film stars Vijay Raaz, Rajneesh Duggal and Preeti Jhangiani in lead roles. The film claims to be inspired by the events surrounding the Murder of Kanhaiya Lal on 28 June 2022.[3][4][5]

Synopsis

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The film claims to be based on the murder of Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur.[6] Ishwar Singh (Rajneesh Duggal), an intelligence officer, is assigned to investigate. As he digs deeper, he finds links to terrorism and radical groups. The story portrays that the murder was not random, but a planned act with deep connections to extremism and hidden networks.[7][8]

Cast

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  • Vijay Raaz as Kanhaiya Lal Sahu
  • Rajneesh Duggal as Ishwar Singh (Intelligence Bureau officer)
  • Preeti Jhangiani as Anjana Singh (journalist, wife of Ishwar Singh)
  • Puneet Vashistha as Nizam
  • Jayshree Mahto as Jasoda Sahu (wife of Kanhaiya Lal)
  • Mushtaq Khan as Virendra Kumar Meena
  • Ahsan Khan as Veer Pratap Singh
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Udaipur Files has been mired in controversy due to its depiction of the Kanhaiya Lal murder, with petitioners alleging it promotes hate speech, vilifies the Muslim community, and could prejudice the ongoing trial in a Special NIA Court in Jaipur.[9]

On July 9, 2025, the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a plea by Mohammed Javed, an accused in the murder case, who argued that the film’s release would violate his right to a fair trial by portraying the accused as guilty.[10]

On July 9, the Delhi High Court ordered the producers to arrange a private screening for petitioners, including Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and journalist Prashant Tandon, who sought a permanent ban.[11]

After the screening, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, described the film as “cinematic vandalism” and argued it fueled communal disharmony, citing scenes like a Muslim man throwing meat at a Hindu household and the arrest of Muslim students, which he deemed irrelevant to the core story.[12]

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) countered that it had removed 55 objectionable portions, ensuring the film was not community-specific but focused on the crime.[13]

On July 10, 2025, the Delhi High Court, led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal, stayed the film’s release, directing petitioners to file a revision application under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting within two days.[14]

The court ruled that the release would remain stayed until the Central Government decided on the revision, citing concerns about communal harmony and public order, especially with upcoming state elections.[15]

The producers, represented by Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, appealed to the Supreme Court on July 14, arguing the stay violated their freedom of speech and that the CBFC had already approved the film after extensive cuts.[16]

On July 16, 2025, the Supreme Court, led by Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, deferred the hearing to July 21, expecting a Central Government committee to review the CBFC certification under Section 6.[15]

Release

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The film's release was originally scheduled for July 11, 2025, but was stayed by the Delhi High Court on July 10, 2025, pending a Central Government review of its certification due to concerns about communal disharmony and prejudice to an ongoing trial. The film has sparked heated debate over its depiction of the murder and its potential to incite communal tensions.

References

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  1. ^ "A Tailor Murder Story teaser out: Film on Kanhaiya Lal's death to release in November". India Today. 30 June 2023.
  2. ^ उदयपुर, विपिन चंद्र सोलंकी (28 June 2023). "Rajasthan: कन्हैयालाल हत्याकांड पर बन रही फिल्म, जानें किस डेट में होगी रीलीज". www.abplive.com.
  3. ^ "सच दिखना चाहिए… कन्हैयालाल हत्याकांड पर बनी फिल्म, ट्रेलर देखकर भावुक हुए लोग". News18 हिंदी. 26 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Udaipur Files trailer released: 'कन्हैयालाल हत्याकांड' की दहलाने वाली सच्चाई अब बड़े पर्दे पर होगी सामने, फिल्म का ट्रेलर रिलीज | Udaipur Files trailer released film based on Kanhaiyalal murder case painful memories became fresh again". Patrika News. 24 June 2025.
  5. ^ "कन्हैयालाल हत्याकांड से जुड़ी फिल्म जून में होगी रिलीज, विजय राज समेत इन लोगों ने निभाई भूमिका". NDTV राजस्थान.
  6. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (28 June 2023). "Udaipur's infamous Kanhaiya Lal murder case to get cinematic adaptation? : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama".
  7. ^ "Film on Kanhaiya Lal murder case to hit screens on June 27". ThePrint. 3 May 2025.
  8. ^ "उदयपुर सांसद को दिखाया 'द ज्ञानवापी फाइल्स' का ट्रेलर: 27 जून को रिलीज होगी मूवी; 3500 स्क्रीन्स पर होगी रिलीज - Udaipur News". 24 May 2025.
  9. ^ Jain, Debby (16 July 2025). "'Udaipur Files' Film Case: Supreme Court Awaits Centre's Decision On Revision, Says Balance Of Convenience Favours Objectors". Live Law. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Supreme Court refuses to urgently list plea against release of Udaipur Files". The Hindu. 9 July 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Delhi HC tells Udaipur Files producer to screen film for those seeking ban". www.business-standard.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  12. ^ "High Court pauses release of Udaipur Files until government reviews ban plea". India Today. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  13. ^ "'Until Centre Decides...': Delhi HC Stays Release Of 'Udaipur Files' Movie For Now". News18. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  14. ^ Bakshi, Nupur Thapliyal & Gursimran Kaur (10 July 2025). "Delhi High Court Stays Release Of 'Udaipur Files' Movie, Asks Centre To Decide On Revision Against CBFC Certificate". www.livelaw.in. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Udaipur Files hearing deferred by Supreme Court till July 21 as filmmakers await Centre's response". The Hindu. 16 July 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Supreme Court agrees to hear 'Udaipur Files' producer's plea against Delhi HC order on film's stay". The Indian Express. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
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