Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder, based on the murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in 2022, has generated widespread debate over its narrative. Starring actor Vijay Raaz as Kanhaiya Lal, there has been legal proceedings regarding the release of the film. The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, July 9, declined to urgently list and refused to stay the release of Udaipur Files. The court also allowed the film to release in theatres on July 11, reported PTI.
The bench, comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, advised that the petitioner could bring up the matter after the summer vacation. The bench also stated, "Let it (the film) be released", and didn’t entertain requests for immediate intervention, directing the petitioner to mention the case before the appropriate bench upon the court’s reopening.
About the petition against Udaipur Files
The petition submitted by Mohammed Javed, one of the accused in the case, who is out on bail, sought a stay on the film's release till his trial in the case is over.
The trailer of Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder was released on July 4, 2025. The petitioner claimed that the film appeared to be "communally provocative" from its trailer and promotional materials, and releasing the movie, where it shows the accused as guilty and the story as conclusively true, had the chance to prejudice the ongoing proceedings.
On the same day, the Delhi High Court directed the producers of the movie to arrange an urgent screening of Udaipur Files for all counsels involved in the case.
About Kanhaiya Lal Murder Case
Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor from Udaipur, Rajasthan, was beheaded on June 28, 2022, allegedly by Mohammad Riyaz Attari and Ghaus Muhammad.
The attackers had later released a video, where they claimed the murder was in reaction to Kanhaiya Lal allegedly sharing a social media post in support of former BJP leader Nupur Sharma after her controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad.
The murder case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency and the accused were booked under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), besides provisions under the Indian Penal Code.
Riyaz and Ghaus were arrested hours after the brutal murder. Mohammed Javed was arrested nearly a month later on July 22, 2022, and was released on bail in September last year.
The trial is pending before the special NIA court in Jaipur.
About Udaipur Files
It was previously titled Gyanvapi Files: A Tailor's Murder Story, and was scheduled to be released on June 27. The film also stars Rajneesh Duggal, Preeti Jhangiani, Kamlesh Sawant, Kanchi Singh and Mushtaq Khan, among others.
