News

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in connection with the upcoming film – “Jayeshbhai Jordaar”, which is scheduled to release on May 13, 2022. The theme of the movie is to sensitize the viewers towards an important social message to stop female foeticide. In communicating the message, it was pivotal to show the social evil that is sought to be addressed. One of the scenes in the Film, which shows the conduct of an ultrasound upon the protagonist’s wife, was made subject matter of the PIL. While the petitioner categorically admitted to the positive cause of ‘Save Girl Child’ being promoted in the Film, it was however averred that such a scene may mislead the masses into thinking that pre-natal determination of sex is permissible. As the Film had already been approved by the Censor Board with insertion of a disclaimer, which was inserted in the beginning of the Film, the Hon’ble Court was hesitant to agree to the Petitioner’s prayer to remove/excise the scene altogether. As Respondent No. 4 - Yash Raj Films agreed, without prejudice to its rights and contentions, to insert the disclaimer appearing in the beginning of the Film (“Pre-natal sex determination test is a punishable offence”), in the relevant scene/s as well, the Hon'ble Delhi High Court disposed of the PIL by recording the said statement. Accordingly, the Film, Jayeshbhai Jordaar, will be released without any removal/cuts on the 13th of May, as scheduled. Mr. Jayant Mehta, Senior Advocate appeared on behalf of Yash Raj Films. TMT Law Practice team led by Abhishek Malhotra, Managing Partner, Naomi Chandra, Partner and Sanya Dua, Senior Associate represented Yash Raj Films.