Udaipur Files: 'Cinema Will Speak...' Supreme Court Overturns High Court Judgment, Film To Release

The Supreme Court of India on Friday, July 25, 2025, refused to issue an urgent stay on the release of the controversial film "Udaipur Files." The decision is a massive morale booster for the film, which is a retelling of the 2022 Udaipur tailor murder case. The top court, instead, directed that the petitioners, such as Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani and one of the accused in the murder case, go to the Delhi High Court for an urgent hearing.

Supreme Court refuses to stay Udaipur Files.

A historic victory.
Cinema will not be silenced – it will speak!

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 25, 2025

This Supreme Court ruling means "Udaipur Files" would not be banned with immediate effect by the highest court, providing a green light for the producers to go ahead with release plans. The Court directed the Delhi High Court in direct language to hear the case at the earliest, that is, as early as Monday, July 28, 2025.

Background to the Case and Movie

"Udaipur Files" delves into the tragic facts of the murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor who was brutally killed in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in June 2022. The crime, in which two men killed him for a social media post, sparked universal condemnation and national outrage. The film tries to recreate the facts of this extremely sensitive case.

The petitioners had sought a stay on the film's release, arguing that it might lead to communal unrest and prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings against the murder. They feared its depiction of events and individuals involved.

Supreme Court's Position and Next Steps

In the course of its judgment, the Supreme Court categorically asserted that it has uttered nothing about the merits of the case per se. The reasons for the procedure are the reasons why the petitioners have been referred to the Delhi High Court, as the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Central Government had already cleared the screening of the film, albeit with six more cuts reported. That is to say, the film has already passed through the screening procedure by the responsible government department.

For the fraternity of cinema and the champions of the freedom of film, the refusal of a stay by the Supreme Court is being interpreted as a landmark victory. It reinforces the dictum that censorship cannot be a reflex action and that established legal norms, such as hearing by the High Courts, need to be followed.

The spotlight now shifts to the Delhi High Court, which will consider the petitioners' arguments for a stay or other relief. The High Court's decision will be decisive in the immediate destiny of "Udaipur Files" and its journey to the screens. The final release of the film will depend on the outcome of these impending legal events.