The highly anticipated Bollywood action-thriller ‘Dhurandhar,’ starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, is currently facing a significant roadblock that could delay its planned theatrical release on December 5, 2025. The core of the issue lies in a legal petition filed in the Delhi High Court by the family of a celebrated military officer, the Late Major Mohit Sharma.
The controversy centers on the belief that the film, which is marketed as being “inspired by true events,” heavily draws from the heroic life, undercover missions, and ultimate sacrifice of Major Mohit Sharma, who was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra. Major Sharma was an officer of the elite 1st Para (Special Forces) who lost his life during a counter-terrorism operation in Kupwara in 2009.
Major Sharma’s parents, Sushila Sharma and Rajendra Prasad Sharma (not Manoj Sharma’s parents, as previously rumoured or misreported), have moved the High Court seeking an urgent stay on the film’s release. They allege that the movie’s narrative, character design, and military setting “unmistakably mirror” their son’s life and operations.
The family argues that the filmmakers—including director Aditya Dhar, Jio Studios, and other producers—have done this without seeking proper authorization from either the family or the Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI).
The petition is not just about a lack of permission; it raises deeper legal and ethical questions about the rights of a martyr and their family.
The family contends that the unauthorized portrayal violates their Right to Privacy and Dignity under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. They also assert a breach of their son’s posthumous personality rights—the right to control how a deceased public figure is represented. In their view, a martyr’s life is not a “commercial commodity” to be exploited for profit without consent.
A significant concern raised in the petition is the potential risk to national security. The family’s plea suggests that the film might depict sensitive military tactics, infiltration strategies, and operational procedures, which should not be shown without the express clearance of the Indian Army.
As part of their immediate relief request, the petitioners are asking the Delhi High Court to order a complete halt to the film’s public release, distribution, and exhibition. Additionally, they have asked for a private screening of the unedited version of the film for the family before any public release, to ensure their concerns are addressed.
Before the court petition was filed, Director Aditya Dhar had officially clarified on social media that his film is “not based on the life of braveheart Major Mohit Sharma AC(P) SM.” He had responded to Major Sharma’s brother, Madhur, promising that if a biopic were ever made, it would be done with the family’s “full consent and complete consultation.”
However, this public denial has not been enough to stop the legal proceedings, as the family feels the on-screen resemblance and the film’s theme are too close to be coincidental.
The matter is now in the hands of the Delhi High Court, and the film’s scheduled release date of December 5, 2025, is in serious jeopardy. If the court grants the stay, the highly-anticipated movie, which stars Ranveer Singh as a spy in a gritty, action-packed role, will not be able to hit the screens as planned. The outcome will set a precedent for future films that claim to be “inspired by true events,” particularly those involving the lives of military martyrs and national heroes. To know such latest updates, stay tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
