Aditya Dhar’s upcoming film Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, ran into legal trouble last week after the parents of late Major Mohit Sharma approached the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on its release. On Monday, the court directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to examine the family’s objections and, if required, consult the Indian Army before issuing a certificate. By Tuesday, the CBFC cleared the film for release, categorizing it as a work of fiction.

Speaking to us, Major Sharma’s brother, Madhur Sharma, said, “I am sure they’ve followed the process, and they were very quick to take a decision, which is good. We don’t know what data the CBFC has relied on, but I am sure they have done their due diligence.” Madhur, however, adds that they could have taken the parents’ concern into consideration.

“I just feel that a screening could have been organized for the parents so that any misconceptions floating on social media could have been clarified. People who have lived their entire life with him are in a better position to tell if anything in the film replicates his life, rather than someone outside the ecosystem.”

Social media comparisons between Major Mohit Sharma’s life and Ranveer Singh’s character in the film intensified after the trailer’s release. Many tweeted, including Madhur, asking for a public clarification. To those questioning why the petition was filed despite Dhar’s denial, Madhur says the timelines explain it: “There is a 36–48 hour difference between my tweet and Aditya Dhar’s reply. The petition was filed during that time.”

He maintains the family is only seeking acknowledgement. “There is no benefit the parents are looking for. This is not just for us but for every family that has lost a son (in military operations).” Major Mohit Sharma of 1 Para (SF) was killed in action in 2009 and posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra.

Actor Ranveer apologizes for imitating a scene from Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 at the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in the presence of the actor. Ranveer stuck his tongue out and imitated the sacred Daiva scene from the Kannada film and called the local folk gods Daiva as a ‘female ghost’. He was brutally trolled online, with many calling the actor a ‘clown’ and wondering why he would do such a thing days before the release of his next film Dhurandhar. Now, Ranveer has apologized as he wrote on his Insta post (inset).