In the heart of Udaipur, Rajasthan, a humble tailor named Kanhaiya Lal Teli lived a quiet life, stitching clothes to provide for his wife and two sons. A hardworking man from the Hindu Teli community, Kanhaiya was known in his neighborhood as a kind and unassuming soul. His small shop in the bustling Dhanmandi area was his world—until it became the stage for a gruesome tragedy that shook India. The movie Udaipur Files aims to tell his story, but its release has been stalled by the Delhi High Court, citing fears of “communal disharmony.” Meanwhile, the killers who took Kanhaiya’s life walk free on bail, despite undeniable evidence. This is not just a story of one man’s murder—it’s a wake-up call for Hindus to stay vigilant.
Kanhaiya Lal: The Humble Tailor Betrayed
Kanhaiya Lal was no activist or provocateur. He was a simple weaver, a man who toiled daily to keep his family afloat. In June 2022, his life took a fatal turn when he allegedly shared a social media post supporting Nupur Sharma, a former BJP spokesperson who had made controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate. The post wasn’t even his own creation—he merely shared it, perhaps unaware of the storm it would unleash. This small act, done in the privacy of his digital space, cost him his life.
What makes this tragedy even more chilling is the betrayal. Kanhaiya’s neighbor, Nazim, and others in his community reportedly played a role in tipping off his killers. On June 11, 2022, Nazim filed a case against Kanhaiya over the post, leading to his brief arrest and release on bail. Despite Kanhaiya reporting death threats to the police on June 15, claiming Nazim and others were circulating his photo with calls to kill him, the authorities did little. They mediated a so-called settlement, and Kanhaiya, trusting the system, reopened his shop. That trust proved fatal.
On June 28, 2022, two men, Mohammad Riyaz Attari and Ghaus Mohammad, entered Kanhaiya’s shop posing as customers. In broad daylight, they attacked him with a cleaver, attempting to behead him in a barbaric act of violence. They recorded the murder, proudly sharing the video online, where they boasted of their crime in the name of avenging Nupur Sharma’s remarks. In a second video, they even threatened Prime Minister Modi, displaying their extremist ideology without fear. The brutality sent shockwaves across India, with blood spilling onto the streets of Udaipur and the video going viral, sparking outrage.
Killers Free on Bail: A Mockery of Justice
The murder was no ordinary crime—it was an act of terror, investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Eleven individuals were charged, including Riyaz and Ghaus, who belonged to the Barelvi sect and were linked to the Pakistan-based Dawat-e-Islami. Yet, despite the video evidence, the confessions, and the national spotlight, justice remains elusive. Shockingly, as of 2025, key accused, including Mohammad Javed, have been granted bail. The Rajasthan High Court cited “lack of evidence” for Javed’s release, even though call records and other links tied him to the conspiracy. Kanhaiya’s family, still grieving, watches as the killers walk free, while the system drags its feet.
This is the real travesty—one that disturbs communal harmony far more than any movie could. The courts, quick to block a film, seem less concerned about the message sent when murderers are allowed to roam. Kanhaiya’s son, Yash, has publicly lamented this injustice, pointing out that three years after the murder, his family still awaits closure. The killers’ release mocks the pain of a family and a nation that demanded accountability.
Udaipur Files: Truth Too Dangerous to Tell?
Enter Udaipur Files, a film produced by Amit Jani and starring Vijay Raaz as Kanhaiya Lal. Directed by Bharat S Shrinate, it seeks to expose the brutal reality of Kanhaiya’s murder and the extremist ideology behind it. The trailer, released on June 26, 2025, didn’t shy away from the truth—it referenced Nupur Sharma’s remarks, the Gyanvapi Mosque dispute, and the role of certain religious figures, sparking immediate controversy. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) made 55 cuts, and later 150, to tone down the content, but the film’s core message remained: this was a crime driven by religious extremism, and it must be confronted.
Yet, the Delhi High Court halted the film’s release on July 10, 2025, just a day before its scheduled premiere. Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, led by Maulana Arshad Madani, argued that the film vilifies Muslims and could incite communal unrest. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal called it “cinematic vandalism” and “the worst form of hate speech,” claiming it portrays Muslims negatively in nearly every scene. The court, bending to these concerns, ordered a government review under the Cinematograph Act, effectively stalling the release until further notice.
This decision is absurd. The murder itself—carried out in the name of religion, recorded, and celebrated by the perpetrators—didn’t provoke the same judicial outrage. The killers’ bail doesn’t seem to threaten “communal harmony,” but a movie exposing their crime does? The hypocrisy is glaring. The film’s producer, Amit Jani, has now taken the fight to the Supreme Court, arguing that the truth about Kanhaiya’s murder deserves to be told. Kanhaiya’s son, Yash, echoed this, calling the ban a suppression of truth and a blow to his family’s quest for justice.
A Lesson for Hindus: Stay Vigilant
The Udaipur Files saga holds a stark lesson for Hindus: stay vigilant. Kanhaiya Lal’s story isn’t an isolated incident. From the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits to the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, a pattern emerges—neighbors, acquaintances, and even so-called friends can turn betrayers when extremist ideologies take hold. Kanhaiya trusted his community, but his own contacts, like Nazim, allegedly fed information to his killers. This isn’t about painting all Muslims as threats; it’s about recognizing that extremism can lurk in unexpected places, even among those you know.
The murder was not a spontaneous act but a planned conspiracy, linked to a Pakistan-based outfit. The killers’ affiliations with Dawat-e-Islami and their brazen threats against India’s Prime Minister show the depth of their ideological poison. Hindus must be alert to such inclinations, whether in their cities or across borders. This isn’t paranoia—it’s survival. History, from Kashmir to Udaipur, teaches us that complacency can be deadly.
The Fight for Truth
Udaipur Files is more than a movie—it’s a battle for truth in a system that seems determined to bury it. The courts may fear communal unrest, but the real threat to harmony lies in letting murderers walk free while silencing those who dare to speak out. Hindus must rally behind this film, not just to honor Kanhaiya Lal but to demand accountability and expose the dangers of extremism. Watch your surroundings, question ideological leanings, and never assume safety in a world where betrayal can come from next door.
The Supreme Court will soon hear the filmmakers’ plea to lift the ban. Until then, Kanhaiya’s story remains a haunting reminder: truth is a dangerous thing, but silence is far worse. Stay vigilant, stay bold, and demand justice.
Sources: OpIndia, India Today, The Hindu, Bhaskar English, LawChakra, and other web sources.
Note : This article involves significant use of AI in research and writing.
✍️ Agni
