A Pune Civil Court has issued summons to Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi following complaints about their portrayal of the legal profession in the upcoming comedy film Jolly LLB 3.
The Legal Challenge
Two prominent advocates, Wajed Khan (Bidkar) and Ganesh Mhaskhe, have initiated legal proceedings against the film, claiming its promotional content shows disrespect toward lawyers and the judiciary. Their petition has prompted 12th Junior Division Civil Judge JG Pawar to summon both actors and the film’s production team to appear in court on August 28.
The lawyers are also seeking an injunction to prevent the film’s scheduled September 19 release date.
Specific Complaints
The controversy centers on several aspects of the film’s marketing material:
The petitioners object to scenes where Kumar and Warsi appear wearing lawyer’s bands during promotional activities, arguing this diminishes the profession’s dignity. More significantly, they take issue with dialogue in which legal professionals address judges as “Mamu,” which they consider insulting to judicial authority.
“The film depicts courtroom proceedings as resembling family disputes rather than serious legal matters,” explained one of the petitioning lawyers. “Even under the guise of satire, such portrayals are offensive to our entire professional community.”
The Film’s Background
Jolly LLB 3 represents the third installment in the popular legal comedy franchise. The upcoming release features an ensemble cast including Saurabh Shukla returning as Judge Tripathi, alongside Huma Qureshi, Amrita Rao, and Gajraj Rao.
Under the direction and writing of Subhash Kapoor, with production handled by Alok Jain and Ajit Andhare through Star Studio18, the film recently released its teaser to generate audience anticipation.
Legal Battle Before Release
This court challenge represents an unusual situation where a film faces legal scrutiny before its theatrical debut. The case highlights ongoing tensions between creative expression in cinema and professional dignity concerns within India’s legal community.
As the August 28 hearing date approaches, the film’s makers must balance their artistic vision with addressing the legitimate concerns raised by members of the bar, potentially affecting both the film’s content and its release timeline.
