The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed the makers of Udaipur Files to implement six key modifications before the film hits theatres nationwide. The thriller, which draws inspiration from the chilling 2022 Kanhaiya Lal murder in Udaipur, has been under close scrutiny for its sensitive subject matter and depiction of real-life figures and events.
Among the mandated changes is the alteration of the name “Nutan Sharma”, a character allegedly resembling a real-life officer involved in the investigation. The ministry has advised the filmmakers to change the name or clearly mention that the character is fictitious to avoid legal and social repercussions.
Another significant directive pertains to a controversial AI-generated scene featuring a Sikh man in a turban, which critics argue could spark religious sentiments. The scene uses artificial intelligence to recreate a moment depicting communal violence, and authorities have asked the filmmakers to either remove or edit it to ensure it does not misrepresent or stereotype any community.
A senior official from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) said, “We’re not questioning the film’s creative freedom, but given the sensitivities involved, particularly in the current socio-political climate, we must ensure responsible storytelling.”
Here are the six reported directives issued to the Udaipur Files team:
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Change of the character name “Nutan Sharma” to avoid resemblance to any real-life police personnel.
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Removal or significant alteration of the AI-generated turbaned character to avoid misrepresentation of the Sikh community.
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Addition of a disclaimer at the beginning, emphasizing that the film is a work of fiction inspired by real events.
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Softening of certain communal dialogue exchanges, especially those during interrogation scenes.
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Blurring of graphic crime scene images in a montage that includes actual news footage.
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Reduction of the background score intensity in one courtroom sequence deemed to overly dramatize a sensitive verdict.
Director Mayank Tripathi, responding to the directives, said, “We respect the CBFC and the government’s concerns. Our intention has always been to present a hard-hitting narrative, not to incite or offend. We’re cooperating fully and making the required edits.”
The controversy has drawn mixed reactions online. While some netizens argue that the government is stifling artistic freedom, others applaud the decision as a step toward communal harmony.
Udaipur Files, starring Saurabh Shukla and newcomer Raghav Juyal, was originally scheduled to release on July 26. The revised release date is expected to be announced after the changes are completed.
