Udaipur Files finally hits theatres after censor board clearance; Delhi HC refuses to stay release

The murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor from Udaipur, which rocked the country in 2022, is the basis for the movie.

Udaipur Files, featuring acclaimed actor Vijay Raaz, has officially been released across 4,500 cinemas in India after receiving the final green light from the censor board.

Due to ongoing legal proceedings, revision petitions, and public outcry regarding the film's alleged communal undertones, the release of the film had been in jeopardy.

The murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor from Udaipur, which rocked the country in 2022, is the basis for the movie. The tailor was assassinated for allegedly sharing a social media post endorsing BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, whose divisive comments about Prophet Muhammad caused a political uproar and widespread indignation.

The Delhi High Court declined to halt the Udaipur Files' release on Thursday. Mohd Javed, one of the murder suspects, had petitioned the court, claiming that the release of the movie would violate his right to a fair trial. But the division bench, which included Justice Tushar Rao Gedela and Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay, rejected the plea, enabling the movie's planned release.

A number of revision petitions contesting the film's certification had previously been denied by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).

The Ministry's final decision, which was released on August 6, 2025, confirmed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had followed the proper procedures and that there had been no procedural error in approving the film's screening.

The filmmakers had completed all 55 required cuts and even made extra voluntary edits, according to the Revisional Authority. The Ministry came to the conclusion that there had been no new information or arguments put forth to support suspending or changing the film's classification.

The Ministry claimed there was no legal basis for preventing the film's release, citing Section 6(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, particularly after all parties involved had had a fair chance to voice their concerns.

In a significant move, the Central Government withdrew its previous directive suggesting six additional cuts to the movie, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) told the Delhi High Court.

The court decided to dismiss two pending petitions to prevent the release of the movie based on the ASG's statement.

This clearance marks the end of a long legal and political saga surrounding Udaipur Files. The film had previously been put on hold following a July 11 stay order issued by the Delhi High Court. With the latest rulings, the path has now been cleared for its public screening nationwide.