Source Live law
CHENNAI – As the political temperature in Tamil Nadu rises ahead of the 2026 State Assembly Elections, the legal battleground has shifted toward the silver screen. A prominent advocate has moved the Madras High Court seeking an immediate ban on the screening of the blockbuster spy thriller Dhurandhar: The Revenge (also known as Dhurandhar 2) until the conclusion of the polls.
The oral mention was made on Monday before a bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan. The petitioner argues that the film’s “heavy political undertones” and its portrayal of sensitive geopolitical events could potentially influence voters, thereby violating the spirit of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
A Cinematic Juggernaut Under Scrutiny
Directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, the film has already shattered box office records, reportedly crossing the ₹700 crore mark globally within its opening weekend. However, its narrative—which weaves in fictionalized versions of real-world events like the 2001 Parliament attack and 26/11 Mumbai attacks—has drawn criticism from some quarters as being politically motivated.
The petitioner’s primary concerns include:
Timing of Release: With Tamil Nadu scheduled to go to the polls on April 23, 2026, the lawyer contends that the film’s themes are too sensitive for the current electoral climate.
Political Influence: The plea suggests that the movie could be used as a tool for political messaging, swaying public sentiment just weeks before the state decides its next government.
Precedent: The petition follows similar scrutiny faced by other films, such as Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, which was recently referred to the Election Commission for a review of its content under election guidelines.
The Court’s Stand
The High Court bench did not grant an immediate stay but directed the advocate to file a formal writ petition. The judges indicated that a decision on whether to halt the film’s release in the state would only be considered once the matter is officially listed and the respondents are heard.
Legal Context: This isn’t the first time Dhurandhar 2 has seen the inside of a courtroom. Just last week, the Madras High Court issued a sweeping injunction against hundreds of pirate websites and e-commerce platforms to protect the film’s copyright and merchandise rights.
While the production houses, Jio Studios and B62 Studios, continue to celebrate the film’s financial success, they now face a race against time to ensure the “Dhurandhar storm” isn’t halted by the “Election fever” in South India.
