Martyr's Legacy vs Bollywood Glory: Major Mohit Sharma's Family Battles Dhurandhar Release in Delhi High Court

The family of late Major Mohit Sharma, an Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee who sacrificed his life in a daring counter-terrorism operation in 2009, has approached the Delhi High Court to block the release of Bollywood film Dhurandhar. Filed on November 27, 2025, the petition accuses filmmakers of exploiting the martyr's life, undercover missions, and heroism without consent from the family or Indian Army clearance. With the movie starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar set for a December 5 premiere, the case has ignited debates on artistic freedom versus respect for military legacies.​

Major Mohit Sharma, a 1 Para (Special Forces) officer, earned posthumous honors for his valor during Operation Thunderbolt in Hafruda Forest, Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. On November 21, 2009, the 29-year-old led a team that neutralized six Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in a fierce encounter, sustaining fatal injuries while ensuring no casualties among his comrades. His actions exemplified elite Special Forces tactics, including human intelligence-based infiltrations and close-quarters combat in hostile terrain. The Ashoka Chakra citation praised his "supreme sacrifice" in upholding national security.​

The controversy erupted after Dhurandhar's trailer release, which drew widespread speculation linking Ranveer Singh's character, a covert operative dismantling terror networks, to Major Sharma. Social media buzzed with parallels: undercover ops, point-blank eliminations, and Special Forces insignia mirroring Sharma's classified Kashmir missions. Media reports amplified these connections, prompting director Aditya Dhar to clarify on November 25 via X: "Our film Dhurandhar is not based on the life of braveheart Major Mohit Sharma AC(P) SM. This is an official clarification."​

Undeterred, Major Sharma's parents, described in the petition as "humble and grieving", argue the film's narrative, character arc, promotional materials, and even operational details too closely resemble their son's story. They contend no permissions were sought, violating Article 21 rights to privacy, dignity, reputation, and posthumous personality rights. "A martyr is not a commercial commodity," the plea states, emphasizing that fictionalizing a real hero's life for profit undermines truth and honor. The family highlights the emotional toll, claiming they were "deeply shaken" by the unauthorized portrayal.​

National security forms a core allegation. The petition notes Major Sharma's missions involved sensitive human intelligence and infiltration patterns that remain classified. Depicting such tactics without Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) scrutiny could reveal exploitable methods to adversaries, fueling propaganda or threats. Filmmakers allegedly bypassed mandatory Army approvals for military depictions, a protocol enforced under defence guidelines. The family seeks court directives mandating prior heir and Army consent for any martyr-based films.​

Producers deny direct inspiration, pointing to discrepancies like the film's Lyari, Karachi gang-war setting versus Sharma's Kashmir focus. Online discussions, including Reddit threads, echo this: timelines don't align, and the character targets organized crime, not terrorists. Aditya Dhar's team has urged a private screening to demonstrate independence, framing the suit as misguided public perception driven by "meme pages."​

This clash revives tensions between Bollywood's militaristic narratives and ethical boundaries. Films like Uri and Fighter navigated Army clearances successfully, but

Dhurandhar exposes gaps in regulating "inspired by true events" claims. Legal experts note precedents: courts have stayed releases (Padmaavat, The Kashmir Files) over cultural sensitivities, but martyr rights remain untested. The petition demands script/raw footage production, trailer withdrawal, and a blanket policy for military biopics.​

Public sentiment splits along patriotic lines. Supporters rally behind the family, trending #JusticeForMajorMohitSharma and decrying "commercialization of sacrifice." Critics argue artistic liberty, warning of censorship chilling national pride stories. Bollywood veterans like Karan Johar, linked via Dharma Productions, face indirect scrutiny, though no formal ties are confirmed.​

Major Sharma's story transcends cinema: his family established the Mohit Sharma Memorial Scholarship, aiding underprivileged youth. The suit underscores a martyr's enduring dignity, questioning if grief-stricken kin deserve veto power over interpretations. As the Delhi High Court lists the matter next week, Dhurandhar's fate hangs in balance, potentially rescheduling amid India's booming war-drama genre.

This episode prompts reflection: honouring heroes demands accuracy and permission, lest valour becomes box-office fodder. Major Sharma's ultimate sacrifice merits reverence, not recreation without reckoning.