Mr. Gautam Jha, Ms. Harsh Lata Mr. Monu Kumar, Advs v. UNION OF INDIA ORS

Through: Ms. Pratima N Lakra, CGSC with Ms. Aditi Singh, Mr. Shailendra Kumar Mishra, Mr. Chanakya Kene & Mr. Priyam Sharma, Advs. for R-1 to 3 (9588653472) Jay K Bhardwaj, Ms. Priya Mr. Darshini Arora, Ms. Tanya Singh & Mr. Pranjal Patel, Advs. for R-4. CORAM: JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUSTICE SHAIL JAIN Prathiba M. Singh, J. (Oral)

1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode. CM APPL.72387/2025

2. Allowed, subject to all just exceptions. The application is disposed of. W.P.(C) 17525/2025 & CM APPL. 72386/2025

3. The present petition under Articles 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India has been filed by the Sanyukt Ahir Regiment Morcha along with certain members of the said Morcha, inter alia, praying for relief in respect of the feature film ‘120 Bahadur’ (hereinafter “the feature film”). Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:KESHAV Signing Date:20.11.2025 18:13:51 W.P.(C) 17525/2025

4. The feature film is based upon the battle of Rezang La (hereinafter “the battle”) fought in November, 1962 under C Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment under Major Shaitan Singh, PVC (IC-6400). This is a recorded war in the ‘History of the Conflict with China, 1962’, History Division, Ministry of Defence. The said event is sought to be picturised in the feature film, which is scheduled for release on 21st November, 2025.

5. The producers of the feature film are Mr. Farhan Akhtar, Mr. Ritesh Sidhwani & Mr. Amit Chandra. The cast of the feature film comprises of Mr. Farhan Akhtar, Ms. Raashii Khanna, Mr. Vivan Bhatena, Mr. Ankit Siwach, Mr. Dhanveer Singh, Mr. Sahib Verma, Mr. Sparsh Walia, Mr. Ajinkya Deo, Mr. Eijaz Khan, among others, and the Narration is by Mr. Amitabh Bachchan.

6. The case of the Petitioners is that the war was fought by ‘Ahirs’, whose cause is represented by the Petitioner No. 1. The only reliefs sought and pressed, as on date, are two fold: (i) that the names of all the 120 soldiers, who had fought the battle ought to be mentioned at the end of the feature film; and (ii) that the title of the feature film ought to be changed to “120 Vir Ahir”.

7. It is stated that the Petitioner had preferred a representation on 10th November, 2025 under Section 6 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 filed with the Respondent Nos. 1 to 3, seeking, inter alia, modification of the certificate granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (hereinafter, ‘CBFC’) to the feature film. Ld. Counsel for the Petitioners submits that the said representation is still pending and in the meantime the Petitioners had also filed a writ petition being CWP-PIL-335/2025 before the High Court of Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:KESHAV Signing Date:20.11.2025 18:13:51 W.P.(C) 17525/2025 Punjab & Haryana. The same was decided on 17th November, 2025 in the following terms: “1. Present petition has been filed in the shape of Public Interest Litigation raising alleged public cause that a film named ‘120 BAHADUR’ ought to be named as ‘120 VEER AHIR’.

1.1 It is also informed that the said film is to be released on 21.11.2025, despite the petitioners having preferred a revision u/s 6 of Cinematograph Act, 1952 on 10.11.2025 (Annexure P-7), preferred before the Central Government on 13.11.2025, which is still under consideration.

2. Counsel for respondents No.1 to 3-UOI has assured that the Central Government would decide the said revision (Annexure P-7) within two (02) days.

2.1 The reply by way of affidavit filed on behalf of respondents No.1 to 3/UOI is taken on record.

3. In view of the aforesaid assurance, present petition stands disposed of with liberty to the petitioners to revisit in case they have any further grievance.” the Court,

8. On behalf of Respondent No.1 - Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Union of India, Ms. Pratima N. Lakra, ld. CGSC submits that as per the above order, the CBFC is to take a decision in respect of the Petitioners’ prayer by the end of the day i.e., today.

9. On behalf of Respondent No. 4 - Excel Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. i.e., the Producer of the feature film, Mr. Jay K. Bhardwaj, ld. Counsel along with Ms. Aditi Singh, ld. Counsel submits that insofar as the mentioning of the Ahir soldiers' name is concerned, all the names of 120 Ahir soldiers have been Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:KESHAV Signing Date:20.11.2025 18:13:51 W.P.(C) 17525/2025 mentioned at the end of the feature film in the form of a tribute. By way of an illustration ld. Counsel for Respondent No. 4 has handed across the screenshot of one of the CREDITS scenes of the feature film. The same is reproduced hereinbelow:

10. It is submitted that even before the CBFC, the producers have filed a reply and the matter is to be heard today.

11. The Court has heard ld. Counsels for the parties. Considering the fact that the feature film is scheduled to be released day after tomorrow i.e., 21st November, 2025, the Court is of the view it is too late now to change the title of the movie. The Petitioners are also willing to not press the said prayer. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:KESHAV Signing Date:20.11.2025 18:13:51 W.P.(C) 17525/2025

12. However, in view of the nature of the matter the Court has endeavoured to find an equitable solution to the issue by which the Petitioners are aggrieved. The Court has put a suggestion to the parties, to which they have expressed no objection, and since there is some ambiguity as to whether the names of all the 120 soldiers are mentioned in the credits or not, while disposing of the writ petition finally, the following directions are issued: (i) The feature film ‘120 Bahadur’ is permitted to be released theatrically, as is, on 21st November, 2025 across the country. (ii) The Petitioners may watch the feature film and see the names of the 120 Ahir soldiers which are being featured in the Credits to the feature film. If any correction or modification is required, the same shall be communicated to the Producers, who shall ensure that the same is carried out for the OTT release.

13. It is, however, made clear that even for the OTT only the names of the Ahir soldiers along with the proper Regiment etc., would be mentioned.

14. No other relief is pressed. The writ petition along with the pending application, is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUDGE SHAIL JAIN JUDGE NOVEMBER 19, 2025 kk/msh Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:KESHAV Signing Date:20.11.2025 18:13:51 W.P.(C) 17525/2025