Need guidelines, says Delhi high court on plea that films like Dhurandhar reveal sensitive info

THe new delhi heights margaret court on wed asked the Centre and the exchange Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take a call on a plea seeking a specific policy governing spy-thriller films, arguing that some scenes in the movie “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” had the potential to disclose information related to the armed forces that could compromise national security.A bench comprising chief justice DK Upadhyaya and justice Tejas Karia observed that there ought to be some guidelines by CBFC.Also read: Noida, Ghaziabad residents receive 'worse than loo' alert amid severe heatwave“The movie is a work of fiction, made for entertainment purposes, but the impact of the movie cannot be denied. Suppose a movie is made where there is a character who commits suicide and someone in the same position before committing suicide searches for the process…. Can it be permitted? Even if it is fiction. He says that tactics of the army or the force for meeting challenges and secrets are revealed, even if the movie may be fictional. This needs to be addressed. There should be some guidelines of the censor board,” the bench said.What the petitioner saidThe court directed the Centre and the CBFC to treat the petition by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel, Deepak Kumar, as a representation and take an appropriate decision on it.Also read: Parle stock's ‘melodious’ moment as price rises 5% after PM Modi gifts Melody to Meloni. But there is a twistAppearing through advocate Jagjeet Singh, Kumar argued that scenes in the movie Dhurandhar: The Revenge had been portrayed in a manner that could reveal information prejudicial to the country's security interests.The plea contended that the explicit depiction of locations, operations, and characters allegedly modelled on high-ranking officials and martyred officers was so detailed that, despite the film being presented as fiction, it could adversely affect national security and integrity.The petition further referred to films such as Bell Bottom, Mission Majnu, Raazi and Uri: The Surgical Strike, arguing that movies depicting defence and military techniques should not place sensitive operational details in the public domain in the name of cinema or fiction.Court's response on petition The bench said the points flagged by the petitioner needed to be addressed.“Having regard to the nature of the issue and the concerns raised, we are of the opinion that the concerns raised by the petitioner need to be considered and addressed. Accordingly, we dispose of the writ with the direction that the competent authority of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and CBFC, consider the entire petition as a representation and take an appropriate decision on the issues raised therein. The decision and corrective measures, if any if taken on consideration of the representation dated March 23 2026, shall also be communicated to the petitioner. The writ petition stands disposed of in the aoresiad terms," the high court said.