Udaipur Files: From Tailor Kanhaiya Lal’s sons' breakdown during screening to producer receiving death threats

Udaipur Files, based on the horrifying true story of tailor Kanhaiya Lal, whose brutal beheading shocked the entire nation, has finally been released after several controversies. Starring Vijay Raaz as Lal, along with Rajneesh Duggal, Preeti Jhangiani, Kamlesh Sawant, Kanchi Singh, and Mushtaq Khan, the film hit theatres across India on August 8, 2025, following months of legal battles and censorship disputes.

Here’s a breakdown of its tumultuous journey- from intense court hearings to the heart-wrenching moment when Lal’s son broke down in tears during a special Udaipur screening, and finally to producer Amit Jani's recent claims of receiving death threats since the film’s release.

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Release After Legal Hurdles

Udaipur Files, based on the brutal 2022 beheading of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal, has finally hit theatres across India after months of legal wrangling and censorship disputes. The Central Board of Film Certification cleared the film with several cuts, and the Delhi High Court refused to stay its release despite petitions citing ongoing trial concerns.

Family’s Emotional Reaction

At a special screening in Udaipur, Lal’s two sons were seen breaking down in tears, one clutching a framed photograph of his father as the credits rolled. Notably, they left a seat empty with his father’s photograph placed on it as a tribute.

Watch: This is Kanhaiya Lal Ji’s son 😢
This isn’t a movie….
This is a son’s unanswered cry for justice #UdaipurFiles 💔 pic.twitter.com/6OXgpiZmU5

— Hinduism_and_Science (@Hinduism_sci) August 8, 2025

Yash Sahu, son of Kanhaiya Lal, said the film serves as a message from their family to everyone still mourning his father’s tragic death. Speaking at a special screening, he shared that his mother could not bring herself to watch the movie because of the emotional strain.

Public Reaction

Early audience reactions have been largely emotional, intense and positive, with many viewers calling it 'truthful', 'powerful', and a 'mirror of reality'. The audience has strongly praised its unflinching portrayal of the real-life tragedy while acknowledging the emotional weight it carries.

उदयपुर फाइल देखने के बाद सिनेमा घरों में राष्ट्रवादियों ने लगाया हिंदुस्तान जिंदाबाद के नारे #UdaipurFiles pic.twitter.com/cQfG8sldSr

— Ratan Ranjan (@RatanRanjan_) August 8, 2025

Producer Claims Receiving Death Threats

Amid this, producer Amit Jani claimed he has received repeated death threats since the film’s release, including warnings of bomb and shooting attacks.

राजस्थान में कन्हैयालाल को थाने में प्रताड़ित करने वाले पुलिस अफसरों को हिन्दूवादी नेताओं ने धमकाया था ""सरकार बदलने दो सबसे पहले तुम्हारा इलाज होगा"" लेकिन इलाज हुआ नहीं है, कोटा , जोधपुर सहित 10 जिलों में फिल्म को पुलिस ने उतरवा दिया है, बोले ये फिल्म यहां लगेगी तो दंगा हो… pic.twitter.com/QQJklcPF2G

— Amit Jani (@AmitJaniIND) August 9, 2025

On Saturday, producer Amit Jani posted on X (formerly Twitter), alleging that he had received multiple calls from an unknown number, during which the caller threatened to kill him either with a bomb or by shooting. Jani said the caller identified himself as Tabrez, a resident of Bihar.

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He urged authorities to file a case and arrest the accused, tagging officials from the Union Home Minister’s and Prime Minister’s offices, as well as the Uttar Pradesh Police and the state government, in his post.

However, the post was later removed.

Reportedly, security was visibly tightened at some cinema halls screening the movie.