Sunny Deol's 'Mohalla Assi' Religious Controversy: Film Stuck in Courts for 4 Years
New Delhi: February 27, 2026
Current court battle over 'The Kerala Story 2' revives memories of Sunny Deol's 2015 film 'Mohalla Assi', mired in legal fights for 4 years before release. Set in Varanasi's Assi locality, it satirized culture/politics but faced backlash over dialogues/scenes.
Root of Controversy
Directed by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi, dark comedy featured Sunny Deol as orthodox Brahmin scholar Dharmnath Pandey. Key objections:
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Abusive Language: Heavy Banarasi slang, even Sunny's character hurling gaalis.
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Religious Sentiments: Scene showed Shiva-costumed man abusing; Hindu groups protested deity disrespect/Varanasi's sanctity.
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Political Satire: Sharp commentary on Ram Janmabhoomi, Mandal Commission.
4-Year Legal Battle
Ready in 2015 with CBFC 'A' certificate, petitions flooded Allahabad HC/Supreme Court. After prolonged hearings:
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Courts ruled: CBFC clearance means no illegality.
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Supreme Court cleared release in 2018.
Film hit screens Nov 23, 2018 but flopped commercially due to delays/piracy.
Parallels with 'Kerala Story 2'
Like 'Mohalla Assi', Kerala HC stalled 'Kerala Story 2' post-CBFC nod. Difference: Earlier courts backed filmmakers; now scrutiny targets CBFC process itself.