
Government directs 6 tweaks to Udaipur Files: Nutan Sharma name, AI turban scene
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Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Right of society to watch or not watch a movie,' says SC while hearing petitions challenging release of ‘Udaipur Files'
The Supreme Court Thursday said 'it is the right of the society to watch or not watch' a movie and that it will only lead to complications if every creative work is sought to be connected or identified with someone or something. Justice Surya Kant, presiding over a two-judge bench which took up pleas for and against allowing release of the film, Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder, said that what happens in society becomes a theme for the film industry, fiction writers, artists, etc. The two-judge bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, told the counsel for petitioners opposing the film's release, 'Your right can also be safeguarded by permitting people to watch a movie of their choice. You have a right to challenge a revisional decision.' The court's reference was to the July 21 order by a Centre-appointed committee, given after reviewing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate granted to the film. Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, gives the Centre revision powers over the decisions of the CBFC. The committee was set up following a direction by the Delhi High Court. Hearing a plea by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani, the high court had stayed the release of the film till the Centre took a call. The Supreme Court is also seized of a petition by Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the tailor Kanhaiya Lal murder case, on which the film is based. The committee report recommended that the filmmakers 'replace the existing disclaimer with the provided recommended disclaimer' and include a voice-over for the disclaimer; remove the frames in the credits that thank various individuals; replace all instances of the name 'Nutan Sharma', including on the poster, with a new name, besides directing the removal of some dialogues. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta referred to the report. He said the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution 'has to be religion neutral and cannot be selective'. Agreeing with Mehta that it should not be selective, Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani, said that it is 'not so' in this case. He questioned the composition of the committee but Justice Kant said they must have been duly nominated and added that their appointment by itself is not under challenge. Justice Bagchi said, 'Government can always have an advisory panel; they are seeing an artistic work.' Sibal urged the court to watch the film. He added that there is a judgment by former chief justice Sanjiv Khanna that free speech cannot be hate speech. Sibal said, 'Everything in this movie spews venom about a community. There is nothing else in the movie.' Appearing for the accused Javed, Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy said allowing the film's release would jeopardise his right to a fair trial. But Justice Kant said, 'Do not underestimate our judicial officers. People sometimes get unnecessarily hyper and apprehensive that the judicial officer or judges are influenced by these things. We will not be able to hold the court single day, if we are affected by these blackmailers… making sarcastic comments only because they are heavily bribed (for making the comments)… it is part of the judicial training of our officers… a judicial officer is duty bound that he or she has to decide the case strictly on the basis of evidence and material on record.' He further said, 'See the predicament of the judges. If they acquit someone, some part of the society will make allegations; if they convict, the other part will. The judiciary should remain unaffected by all this nonsense… Most of us don't read newspapers in the morning. We don't care about it. Why should we?' Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, who appeared for the filmmakers, said all the recommended changes have been made and the movie must now be allowed to be released. 'The movie in totality will not even have the real portrayal as wanted by the Director, but we are still okay with it…' he said, adding, 'I am a law-abiding citizen. I have waited for 10 days. My investment is at stake.' The court said it will hear the case again on Friday, when it will decide whether it should ask those objecting to go back to the high court and seek relief there.


Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Important cases heard by Supreme Court on July 24
Important cases heard by the Supreme Court on Thursday, : Important cases heard by Supreme Court on July 24 * SC stayed the Bombay HC verdict acquitting all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bomb blasts case but said they need not return to jail. * SC called the Karnataka HC's decision to grant bail to Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and six others in the Renukaswamy murder case a "perverse exercise' of discretionary power. * SC expressed the possibility of remanding on July 25 the matter over the stay of movie "Udaipur Files - Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder" back to the high court. * SC agreed to examine a plea seeking contempt action against Assam government authorities for allegedly violating the top court directives during its demolition exercise in Goalpara district. * SC agreed to list a batch of pleas questioning the delay on the part of the central government in appointment of judges after the collegium reiterated their names. * SC agreed to hear on July 28 a plea questioning whether BS VI-compliant vehicles should have an end-of-life period of 15 years for petrol variants and 10 years for diesel variants in the National Capital Region. * SC agreed to hear on July 28 a plea of West Bengal government against the Calcutta HC decision staying the new list of other backward classes . * SC agreed to hear next week a plea challenging the appointment of Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta claiming the due process was not followed. * SC dismissed a plea alleging bogus voting registration, saying the court's PIL jurisdiction was being "misused and abused". * SC dismissed a plea to appoint an expert committee to conduct a comprehensive study on the adverse impact of direct cash benefit, freebies and other state-sponsored schemes * SC dismissed a plea to ensure installation of six airbags in passenger vehicles and said the matter was exclusively within the policy domain. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.


News18
12 hours ago
- News18
Johnny Lever SLAMS Modern Comedians For Vulgarity: ‘No Aukaat To Stand Before Us'
Johnny Lever criticizes today's comedians and actors for relying on vulgar jokes and Hollywood-style humour. He says real talent lies in clean comedy. Veteran comedian Johnny Lever, a name synonymous with clean, family-friendly humour for over four decades, has expressed his concern over the increasing reliance on vulgarity and double entendre in both films and stand-up comedy today. In a candid interview with actress Kunickaa Sadanand on her YouTube channel, Lever shared his disappointment with the shifting sensibilities in Indian comedy, blaming the growing influence of Hollywood and the erosion of cultural nuance. 'People are freely abusing today because of Hollywood films," Lever observed. 'In the West, it's common to use foul language and make crass jokes, and now our actors and comedians are copying that. They've developed a habit. They only watch English films now." Kunickaa echoed his sentiment, noting, 'A lot of them don't even know Hindi properly anymore." Lever, who has acted in over 300 films across a career that spans generations, believes that this unfiltered comedic style has become the norm rather than the exception. 'They pick up exact things from Hollywood, thinking, 'Chal jayega, kya farq padta hai.' That's how double meaning jokes have become so common." Turning his critique toward the current stand-up comedy scene, Lever didn't mince words. 'Most of today's stand-up content is full of double meanings. But when we were trained in the craft, we were taught never to take that route. If we start speaking double meaning, these new guys won't even be able to stand before us. But we never chose that path." In a pointed remark that seemed both a challenge and a call for introspection, Lever added, 'If they are really talented, I challenge them—say something clean and still make people laugh. That is the real test. I'm not saying they're bad, people are enjoying their content. But I have a family audience. I have to be answerable to that." He also took pride in the fact that his daughter, Jamie Lever, who has carved her own space in the comedy world, upholds the same values. 'She does solo shows too and doesn't rely on vulgarity," he said with evident pride. Ironically, Lever's latest screen appearance was in the fifth installment of the Housefull franchise, a film that drew criticism for its heavy use of innuendos and over-the-top crass humour—an unfortunate alignment with the very trend he critiques. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.