Major Mohit Sharma’s Parents Move Delhi High Court to Halt Release of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar

Family alleges the film mirrors the Ashoka Chakra awardee’s covert operations without permission; raises concerns over privacy, dignity, and national security

The Delhi High Court has received an urgent petition from the parents of Late Major Mohit Sharma—one of India’s most celebrated Special Forces officers—seeking a stay on the release of Dhurandhar, the upcoming Ranveer Singh-led action drama. The plea argues that the film draws heavily from the officer’s life, undercover missions, and martyrdom, without any consent from the family or the Indian Army.

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Petition Claims Unauthorised Use of a Martyr’s Story

Major Mohit Sharma, an Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee, is widely respected for his covert counter-insurgency work in Kashmir. His parents contend that elements in Dhurandhar’s trailer and promotional materials appear to replicate significant aspects of his missions—specifically his undercover operations and acts of valour that ultimately led to his sacrifice.

According to the petition, neither director Aditya Dhar nor the film’s producers sought permission from the family or acknowledged the parallels, despite widespread speculation online linking the movie to Major Sharma. Their counsel argues that “a martyr cannot be reduced to a commercial narrative without truth, dignity, and due authorisation.”

The plea emphasises that any depiction of a martyr’s life, even after death, falls under the protection of posthumous personality rights, which stem from Article 21’s guarantee of dignity. The family further argues that such portrayal also infringes on their own right to privacy as legal heirs.

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Security Concerns Over Depiction of Military Tactics

Alongside questions of ethics and consent, the petition raises concerns tied directly to national security. The family maintains that the trailer hints at sensitive military procedures, infiltration methods, and counter-terrorism techniques—details that cannot be shown on screen without clearance from the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), the Army’s media oversight body.

There is no indication, they argue, that the filmmakers sought this clearance or had their script vetted, a mandatory safeguard when portraying real military operations.

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Respondents Include I&B Ministry, CBFC, ADGPI and the Filmmakers

The petition names multiple respondents:

• Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

• Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)

• ADGPI

• Director–co-producer Aditya Dhar

• Producer Jio Studios

The family, represented by advocates Roopenshu Pratap Singh and Manish Sharmaa of Samaanta Law Firm, is requesting an immediate halt to the film’s release.

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What the Family Wants

The petition seeks three key directions from the court:

1. An urgent stay on the release of Dhurandhar

2. A private screening for Major Sharma’s family before the film reaches the public

3. A legal declaration requiring filmmakers to obtain permission from both the martyr’s legal heirs and the Army before depicting any real-life military martyr

The matter is expected to be listed for hearing next week.