Bombay HC orders CBFC to decide on film 'Sahiya' by October 27
Synopsis
The Bombay High Court has given the CBFC until October 27 to issue its final verdict on 'Sahiya' — a Jharkhand-set love story that the Board already refused to certify in August, citing glorification of violence. Director Sanjay Sharma, backed by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, insists the film is simply a human story about love and survival, raising questions about how far the CBFC's mandate extends.
Key Takeaways
The Bombay High Court has directed the CBFC to issue its final order on 'Sahiya' by October 27, 2026 .
The CBFC refused certification to the film on August 27 , citing glorification of violence and anti-social activities.
The certification application was filed on May 30, 2026 ; the film's first screening before the Board took place in July .
Producer-director Sanjay Sharma was represented by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal during the court hearing.
The film stars Neeraj Kabi , Shantanu Maheshwari , Rinku Rajguru and Ishtiyak Khan , and is set in Jharkhand .
The next court hearing is scheduled for November 2 before the Bombay High Court.
The Bombay High Court has directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue its final decision on the film 'Sahiya', directed by Sanjay Sharma, by October 27, 2026. The next court hearing to review the Board's decision is scheduled for November 2.
Background to the Certification Battle
The application for certification was submitted on May 30, 2026. According to the producer's legal team, the film subsequently underwent screening, examination and revision. The first screening took place in July, and the film was placed before the Revising Committee in August. The CBFC refused certification on August 27, citing objections related to the glorification of violence and anti-social activities.
Following the refusal, producer-director Sanjay Sharma approached the Bombay High Court, contending that the prolonged certification process — followed by the outright refusal — prevented the film from reaching audiences and disrupted its proposed release schedule.
Court Proceedings and Legal Arguments
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Sharma via video conferencing, assisted by Advocates S. M. Haider, Abdul Talha, Mohammad Shaz and Surbhi. Counsel for the CBFC informed the court that a Revising Committee would be constituted on October 23. Sharma's lawyers objected, arguing that merely setting a date to constitute the committee did not establish a clear deadline for a final decision on the film.
The court, acknowledging those concerns, directed that the CBFC's final order be issued no later than October 27.
What the Film Is About
'Sahiya' is set against the backdrop of Jharkhand and tells the story of a newly married couple whose lives become entangled in violence, fear and suspicion. The film stars Neeraj Kabi, Shantanu Maheshwari, Rinku Rajguru and Ishtiyak Khan. It portrays how conflict shapes the lives, relationships and dreams of ordinary people caught in its wake.
The Director's Stand
Sharma maintains that 'Sahiya' neither supports nor glorifies violence, insisting it is at its core a love story. He argues that the film's narrative centres on human emotions and the suffering of innocent people struggling to survive in the midst of violent conflict. He also questioned what objection the Board could have to the depiction of forests and Adivasi communities, or to the film having been shot in Jharkhand, suggesting these elements carry no inherently objectionable content.
Sharma contends that preventing such a film from reaching audiences does an injustice to its underlying message — a position his legal team reiterated before the court.
What Happens Next
The CBFC is now bound by the court's direction to issue its final order on 'Sahiya' by October 27. The Bombay High Court will take up the matter again on November 2, when it will consider the Board's decision and determine the film's path forward. The case underscores broader concerns around certification timelines and the scope of grounds on which the CBFC can refuse to certify a film.
Point of View
Vague grounds for refusal, and the absence of a firm statutory timeline combine to give the Board an effective veto over a film's release. The fact that it took a High Court order to set a deadline — nearly five months after the certification application was filed — points to systemic delay, not just a dispute over this one film. The 'glorification of violence' standard has historically been applied inconsistently, with films depicting conflict in insurgency-affected regions facing disproportionate scrutiny. If the CBFC's final order is again a refusal, the November 2 hearing could test how courts are willing to weigh creative freedom against the Board's certification mandate.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the CBFC refuse certification to the film 'Sahiya'?
The CBFC refused certification to 'Sahiya' on August 27, 2026, citing objections related to the glorification of violence and anti-social activities. Director Sanjay Sharma disputes this characterisation, maintaining that the film is fundamentally a love story about ordinary people affected by conflict.
What has the Bombay High Court ordered in the 'Sahiya' case?
The Bombay High Court has directed the CBFC to issue its final decision on the film 'Sahiya' by October 27, 2026. The court will next take up the matter on November 2 to consider the Board's order.
Who is involved in the 'Sahiya' film certification dispute?
Producer-director Sanjay Sharma has challenged the CBFC's refusal before the Bombay High Court, represented by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal and a team of other advocates. The film stars Neeraj Kabi, Shantanu Maheshwari, Rinku Rajguru and Ishtiyak Khan.
What is the film 'Sahiya' about?
'Sahiya' is set against the backdrop of Jharkhand and follows a newly married couple whose lives become entangled in violence, fear and suspicion. The director describes it as a love story that depicts the suffering of ordinary people caught in conflict — not a glorification of violence.
How long has the certification process for 'Sahiya' taken?
The certification application was filed on May 30, 2026. The film's first screening before the CBFC took place in July, it was placed before the Revising Committee in August, and certification was refused on August 27 — a process spanning nearly three months before the court challenge began.
