‘Udaipur Files’ producer Amit Jani has been granted Y-category security in North India due to threats surrounding the controversial film. Based on the 2022 murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal, the film stars Vijay Raaz and is set to release on August 8, 2025, after major censorship hurdles.
Amit Jani, the producer of the upcoming and much-discussed film ‘Udaipur Files’, has been granted Y-category security by the Indian government, following a series of threats issued against him in the wake of the film’s controversial subject. The decision to provide him security was taken in light of concerns over his safety as tensions grow around the film’s impending release.
The Y-category security detail, provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), includes 11 personnel who will accompany Jani. However, the security cover is restricted geographically. The protection is limited to North India, specifically within the states of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. This means that the producer’s movement and activities outside these regions will not be safeguarded under the same security provisions.
Confirming the development, Amit Jani took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express gratitude to the central government. In his post, he wrote, “Heartfelt thanks to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji for providing Y category security to the Centre”, while tagging the official accounts of PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Prime Minister’s Office.
The film ‘Udaipur Files’ is based on the 2022 murder of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor from Udaipur who was killed for allegedly supporting former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma through a social media post. Sharma’s remarks during a televised debate triggered international outrage and became the center of a major controversy involving religious sentiments.
The murder, which shocked the nation, was not only gruesome in nature but also documented by the assailants themselves. The attackers filmed the act and released the video online, claiming it was in retaliation for Kanhaiya Lal’s support of Sharma. The chilling video went viral and sparked outrage across India. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) later took over the investigation, terming it an act of terror.
Amit Jani’s film revisits the incident in a dramatized format. The film is titled ‘Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder’ and stars acclaimed actor Vijay Raaz in the lead role. The project has encountered significant hurdles from the beginning. Originally slated for a July 11, 2025 release, the film’s debut was postponed following legal challenges and intervention by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The CBFC had previously ordered 150 cuts in the film, citing concerns over potential communal disharmony and sensitive content. After multiple rounds of legal battles and revisions, the film has now received clearance and is set to release on August 8, 2025.
One of the key controversies surrounding the film is a legal petition filed by Javed, one of the primary accused in the murder of Kanhaiya Lal. Javed moved the Supreme Court in an attempt to block the release of ‘Udaipur Files’, arguing that the film could compromise ongoing legal proceedings or prejudice public opinion. However, the court did not issue a stay on the release.
The granting of Y-category security to Amit Jani underscores the volatile atmosphere surrounding the film. The central government’s decision to provide him with protection highlights concerns over his safety as political, legal, and social tensions swirl around the project.
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‘Udaipur Files’ aims to shed light on an incident that remains etched in India’s recent history. With its release scheduled just weeks away, the film is expected to ignite further debates on freedom of expression, censorship, and communal harmony.
