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Supreme Court Blocks Release of Netflix Film Until Controversial Title Is Changed

The bench directed the producers to file an affidavit stating the new name before a February 19 hearing.

Overview

  • Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan said free speech does not allow denigrating a community and found the original title denigrative.
  • Notices were issued to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the CBFC, and filmmaker Neeraj Pandey was told to affirm the film does not denigrate any section of society.
  • Netflix earlier informed the Delhi High Court that the title would be changed and removed all promotional material, leading the court to dispose of a petition limited to the name.
  • The Federation of Western India Cine Employees argued a rename is insufficient, demanded a pre-release screening for objecting groups, and threatened non-cooperation if refused.
  • Protests and multiple FIRs, including one in Lucknow reported as filed on the chief minister’s directive, frame the dispute, and the replacement title has not been disclosed.