Mumbai, October 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Bombay High Court has directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue its final decision on filmmaker Sanjay Sharma’s upcoming film Sahiya by October 27. The court has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for November 2 to consider the Board’s decision.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for producer-director Sharma through video conferencing. Advocates S. M. Haider, Abdul Talha, Mohammad Shaz and Surbhi also represented him.
During the hearing, counsel for the CBFC informed the court that a Revising Committee would be constituted on October 23. Sharma’s legal team objected, arguing that setting a date for constituting the committee did not establish a deadline for deciding the film’s certification.
The producer’s lawyers pointed out that uncertainty remained over when the committee would screen the film and issue its decision.
According to Sharma’s legal team, the application for certification was submitted on May 30, 2026. The film subsequently underwent screening, examination and revision. Its first screening took place in July, and it was placed before the Revising Committee in August. Certification was refused on August 27.
The objections cited by the Board reportedly included concerns about the alleged glorification of violence and anti-social activities. Sharma has maintained that the film’s story and message should be considered in their entirety, describing it as a love story.
Following the refusal of certification, the producer-director approached the Bombay High Court, contending that the prolonged certification process and subsequent rejection had prevented the film from reaching audiences and disrupted its proposed release.
Film Explores Lives Affected by Conflict
Set against the backdrop of Jharkhand, Sahiya follows 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 explores how conflict affects the relationships, aspirations and everyday lives of ordinary people.
Sharma has argued that the film neither supports nor glorifies violence. According to the filmmaker, its central themes are love, human emotions and the suffering of innocent people struggling to survive amid violent conflict. He believes that preventing the story from reaching audiences undermines its underlying message.
The filmmaker has also questioned the objections to the film’s depiction of forests and Adivasi communities, as well as the fact that it was shot in Jharkhand.
Under the High Court’s direction, the CBFC is required to issue its final order on Sahiya by October 27. The matter will return to the court on November 2, when the Board’s decision is scheduled to be considered.
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