The makers of Jolly LLB 3 received major relief on Wednesday when the Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition that had sought a stay on the film’s release and action against its song “Bhai Vakeel Hai”. The petition had claimed that the lyrics of the song defamed the judiciary and the legal profession but the court found no merit in the allegations.
A Division Bench of Justice Sangeeta Chandra and Justice Brij Raj Singh observed that they had carefully examined the song’s lyrics as well as the film’s trailer and teaser. In their view, there was nothing objectionable in the content that could be seen as damaging to the dignity of the legal system. The judges remarked that the material did not interfere in any way with the practice of law by genuine advocates. With this finding, the court dismissed the plea without imposing any costs on the petitioner.
The controversy, however, is far from over. On August 20, a Pune court issued notices to lead actors Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi following a complaint by lawyer Wajid Khan Bidkar. He alleged that the film as a whole mocks court proceedings and portrays the judiciary in a derogatory manner. In his plea, Wajid Khan Bidkar also pointed to a scene where judges were referred to by the slang term “mamu”, claiming that such depictions amount to an insult to the legal profession. Acting on the complaint, the Pune court directed Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi to appear before it on September 28.
This is not the first time the film has faced legal pushback. Earlier in May 2024, the Ajmer District Bar Association also raised objections. Its president Chandrabhan lodged a complaint against the filmmakers, accusing them of portraying lawyers and judges in what he called an inappropriate, humorous and indecent manner. He argued that the film franchise consistently disrespects the judiciary’s image and dignity. Chandrabhan further urged the court to halt the shooting of Jolly LLB 3, which was underway at the time in Ajmer and nearby areas. According to him, even during filming, the actors appeared indifferent to the serious image of the judiciary and judges.
Despite the legal hurdles, the Jolly LLB series has built a strong reputation with audiences. The first installment released in 2013 with Arshad Warsi and Saurabh Shukla in lead roles, earning praise for its blend of courtroom drama and satire. The 2017 sequel saw Akshay Kumar take over as the lead, joined by Huma Qureshi, while Saurabh Shukla reprised his role. Both the films were commercial and critical successes.
Now, Jolly LLB 3 aims to carry forward the legacy under the direction and writing of Subhash Kapoor. The film is produced by Star Studio18 and features a star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Saurabh Shukla, Huma Qureshi, Amrita Rao and Gajraj Rao. While the court has cleared the song “Bhai Vakeel Hai” of wrongdoing, the film’s makers must still address the other pending complaints before its release.
All the best to the team of Jolly LLB 3!
