The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to lift the stay imposed by the Delhi High Court on the release of the film Udaipur Files. The court made it clear that it would await the review report of the committee constituted by the Central Government and directed that a decision be taken without any delay.
The film is based on the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, Rajasthan in 2022, who was killed in broad daylight by two youths due to a religious dispute. The film was to be released on 11 July 2025, but the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind alleged that the film defames the Muslim community and may spread communal tension. After this, the Delhi High Court stayed the release of the film on July 10.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Jaymala Bagchi said that the High Court has not given any opinion on the content of the film, but advised the petitioners to take legal options before the central government. The Supreme Court also said that if the film is released, the petitions will become meaningless, while monetary compensation for the loss suffered by the producer is possible.
The Delhi High Court had already directed that the Central Government review the film under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act. The Supreme Court has now expected the Center to take an immediate decision and give all the parties an opportunity to be heard. The next hearing has been scheduled for July 21, 2025.
The filmmaker had sought immediate relief from the Supreme Court, citing the approval of the CBFC and the 55 cuts made in the film. He said that the delay in the release of the film has increased the risk of financial loss and piracy. However, the court said that religious sentiments and the right to fair justice would be given priority.
This case is becoming an important example of balance between freedom of expression, religious tolerance and judicial process. Now all eyes are on the committee of the Central Government, which will decide whether to allow the film to be released or not.