‘Udaipur Files’: To Release on Aug. 8 After 55 Cuts

Aug 7, 2025 - After a prolonged controversy and multiple Court hearings, the film Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder has finally been granted clearance for release. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has dismissed the objections raised against the film and lifted the ban on its release.

The film is now scheduled to hit theatres tomorrow, August 8, 2025.

Udaipur Files had been mired in controversy from the beginning. It was initially set to come out in theatres on July 11, but a stay was brought on the film’s release following petitions filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on its release. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani had challenged the movie’s release alleging it defamed a particular community. Mohd Javed, an accused in the June 2022 Kanhaiya Lal murder case in Udaipur, also filed a plea saying the film’s release would affect his right to a fair trial.

The High Court had on August 1 directed the Central Government to re-evaluate the film and exercise its powers under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma had said the I&B Ministry would withdraw the earlier order for cuts in the movie and take a fresh decision in accordance with the law. The government formed a committee which recommended 55 cuts in the film. The producers agreed to implement these changes.

The I&B issued an order saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted certification to the film following due process, and the producers have also made the additional suggested cuts. As a result, the Ministry said there was no valid reason to impose a ban or seek further modifications.

"Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing facts and findings, and in pursuance of the directions contained in the Order of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi dated 01.08.2025, the competent authority in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, acting in its capacity as the Revisional Authority under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, holds that no case is made out for the exercise of powers under sub-section (2) of Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Accordingly, the revision petitions/representations are hereby dismissed," I&B Under Secretary Santosh Kumar Maurya said in the order.

With Media Inputs