Ranbir Singh starred Dhurandhar took a sharp turn this week after the parents of Major Mohit Sharma approached the Delhi High Court, seeking protection of their son’s legacy, per the Indian Express.
The film, set for a December 5 release, has allegedly modelled its central character on the Ashok Chakra awardee without consent, credit or even a courtesy call to his family.
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Who was Major Mohit Sharma?
Born in Rohtak in 1978, he entered the National Defence Academy in 1995 and went on to join the 5th Battalion of The Madras Regiment in 1999. He volunteered for the Special Forces after a stint with the Rashtriya Rifles. He earned the maroon beret and joined 1 Parachute Battalion (Special Forces).
Notably, Major Sharma infiltrated a Hizbul Mujahideen module in 2004 under disguise, for which he received the Sena Medal for gallantry. In 2009, during an anti-infiltration operation in Kupwara, he was critically wounded but continued fighting until he succumbed to his injuries. He was posthumously honoured with the Ashok Chakra for “acts of bravery beyond the call of duty.”
Now, his family argue that Ranveer Singh’s character, who also infiltrates a terror network, unmistakably mirrors the Major’s story. No permission was sought, the petition notes.
The Indian Express noted that in court on December 1, the petition argued that “Dhurandhar is being publicly promoted with a view to create a perception that it is based upon the life, persona and operations of Major Mohit Sharma,” and that this was being done “without any consent, consultation or authorisation from the family.”
However, the filmmakers insisted that the narrative is fictional, the film is “purely a work of fiction and though inspired by true events, bears no connection with the Major.”
The Delhi High Court ultimately disposed of the plea, directing the censor board to look into the matter carefully.
