Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee, Late Major Mohit Sharma’s parents have approached the Delhi High Court to put an immediate stay on the release of the movie Dhurandhar, starring Bollywood actor Ranvir Singh. In the plea, Late Major Mohit Sharma’s parents have claimed that the upcoming movie is totally inspired from the life of Major Mohit, his undercover activities, and no prior permission has been taken from the family of Major Sharma or even from the Indian army.

In the petition it is mentioned that the movie’s trailer clearly shows that Major Mohit Sharma’s life, his covert operation in Kashmir has been replicated. The family alleges that even though there is discussion in the media, online reports and filmmakers have stated that the movie is inspired from the late Major’s life and heroic martyrdom, there is no acknowledgement, nor the family has been involved in the consultation process. The petitioners also pointed out that the life of a martyr cannot be a commercial commodity, it has to be reconstructed only with truth, dignity and prior approval from the family.

Does the film Dhurandhar violate the martyr’s dignity and privacy under Article 21?

Under Article 21 of the Constitution, family members argued that such portrayal of martyr’s posthumously is a violation of rights under Article 21 of the Constitution, and also violation of privacy and dignity. Besides, there is a concern of national security. The petitioner also argued that there are very delicate military tactics, infiltration strategies, and operational procedures and there isn’t any indication whether the makers took permission from the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), this is a body that governs the way Indian Army is portrayed in the media.

In the petition, respondents named are Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification, the ADGPI. Others mentioned in the petitioner are the film director and co-producer Aditya Dhar, and producer Jio Studios. Late Major Mohit’s parents who are the petitioners have requested the Court to stay Dhurandha release and also order a private screening for late Major Sharma’s family before releasing worldwide. Besides, a declaration must be signed before depicting a real-life military martyr is released, and authorization of the family and heirs and even Army must be taken. It is likely that the case will be heard next week.

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