After months of legal hurdles, Udaipur Files finally hit theatres on 8 August — but its release has been followed by serious safety concerns. Producer Amit Jani has alleged that he is receiving death threats linked to the film’s subject matter and has publicly appealed for help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Amit Jani Says Threat Calls Warn Of Bomb Attack And Shooting
In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Jani claimed that he had received repeated calls from an unknown number. The caller allegedly introduced himself as Tabrez from Bihar and threatened to “blow him up with a bomb” or “shoot him”.
He wrote, “Bomb se udaane ki, goli maarne ki dhamki aur gaali galauch ki ja rahi hai. Yeh khud ko Bihar ka rehne wala bata raha hai, khud ka naam Tabrez bata hai. Ispar mukadma kayam karke isko giraftar kiya jaaye.” He also tagged PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, the UP Police and more.
The producer urged authorities to file a case and arrest the man he named in his post. His social media appeal also tagged national news agencies to draw public attention to the threats.
Udaipur Files Release Controversy
Udaipur Files was initially scheduled for release on 11 July but faced delays after the Delhi High Court was petitioned to halt it over its controversial content. The Supreme Court later intervened, allowing the release to go ahead while asking the High Court to address pending challenges.
Following earlier claims of threats, the Central government granted Jani Y-category security in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh last month. This level of protection involves 8 to 11 armed personnel, including commandos, offering 24-hour cover.
The Story Behind Udaipur Files
The film, starring Vijay Raaz as Kanhaiya Lal, is based on the real-life 2022 murder of a tailor in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Lal was killed inside his shop by two men (Mohammad Riaz Attari and Ghaus Mohammad) after he allegedly supported former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on social media. The attack was recorded and shared online, which led to national outrage and debates over religious extremism.
Kanhaiya Lal’s family has publicly supported the film. On the day of its release, his sons Yash and Tarun attended a screening in Udaipur, where a seat was left empty in their father’s honour, complete with his photograph placed between them.
