The upcoming Bollywood film Jolly LLB 3 has been thrust into a real-life legal battle before its release. A practicing advocate has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Patna High Court seeking a ban on the film’s promotional material, claiming it ridicules the Indian judiciary and legal profession.
Lawyer Petitions Court for Pre-Release Ban
The petitioner, Neeraj Kumar, contends that the film’s recently released song, Mera Bhai Vakeel, and its official trailer present lawyers and the court system in a “derogatory, contemptuous and defamatory” light. The petition argues that such portrayals damage the dignity of the profession and risk eroding public trust in the judicial institution.
“Such content not only diminishes the reputation of advocates but also undermines the image of the judiciary among ordinary citizens,” the petition stated.
PIL Demands Strict Guidelines and Public Apology
The litigation requests the court to order an immediate ban on the song and trailer. It further demands that the filmmakers be directed to edit all contentious material only after receiving approval from the Bar Council of India and the Bihar State Bar Council.
Beyond this specific case, the petitioner has urged the court to establish stringent guidelines to prevent what he calls the “derogatory depiction of lawyers and judicial proceedings” in Indian cinema. The PIL also calls for a public apology from the production companies behind the film.
The respondents named in the case include the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Bar Council of India, the Bihar State Bar Council, and the producers, Star Studios and Kangra Talkies. The court is expected to hear the plea, setting the stage for a clash between creative expression and professional dignity.
