17 Sep 2025 : The Bombay High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against the release of Jolly LLB 3, the third installment of the popular courtroom drama franchise starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi. The PIL alleged that the film could portray the judiciary in a negative light and influence public perception of the courts.
The petitioner argued that the film’s satirical treatment of the legal system might “demean the judiciary” and urged the court to halt its release until the content was reviewed. However, the division bench of the Bombay High Court rejected the plea, stating that judges, as well as the judiciary, are not so easily influenced by fictional portrayals on screen.
Justice [names withheld for brevity] observed: “Cinematic works often employ satire, exaggeration, or dramatization. Courts of law are not swayed by such portrayals. The judiciary functions on facts, law, and evidence — not on reel life depictions.”
The court also emphasized that freedom of expression, as protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, extends to filmmakers. Unless there is clear evidence of malicious intent or violation of censorship guidelines, creative liberty cannot be curtailed.
Jolly LLB 3, directed by Subhash Kapoor, brings back both Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi reprising their lawyer roles, pitted against each other in what promises to be a dramatic courtroom battle. The film is expected to mix humor, satire, and social commentary — a signature style that has made the franchise successful.
This isn’t the first time the Jolly LLB franchise has faced legal scrutiny. Earlier, Jolly LLB 2 had drawn objections for allegedly showing lawyers in poor light, but the film went on to release after minor modifications. The Bombay High Court’s dismissal of the current PIL reflects a similar stance that courts are not inclined to interfere in matters of creative storytelling unless there is a direct violation of the law.
Following the judgment, the film’s producers welcomed the court’s decision, stating: “We respect the judiciary and the legal system, and the Jolly LLB series has always been about celebrating justice with humor and realism. We are happy the court recognized our creative intent.”
With this hurdle cleared, Jolly LLB 3 is on track for its much-anticipated release later this year. Fans are especially eager to witness the dynamic face-off between Akshay Kumar’s polished lawyer persona and Arshad Warsi’s street-smart advocate character.
Legal experts have also lauded the court’s ruling, pointing out that restricting films on the grounds of satire would set a troubling precedent for artistic freedom in India.
Summary
The Bombay High Court dismissed a PIL against Jolly LLB 3, ruling that judges aren’t influenced by fictional films and upholding creative freedom. The movie will release as scheduled.