A civil court in Pune has issued summons to Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, and director Subhash Kapoor over allegations that their upcoming film Jolly LLB 3 disrespects the judiciary. The directive comes after a petition filed by lawyer Wajed Rahim Khan, who claimed that the film undermines the dignity of advocates and judges. The court has instructed the trio to appear in person on October 28 at 11 am.
Khan alleged that the film portrays the legal profession in a derogatory light, particularly objecting to a scene where judges are referred to as “mama”, a slang expression. Speaking to ANI, he said: “There should be respect for lawyers and judges. What they have shown is wrong, so I filed a petition in court. The summons has now been issued to the actors and director.”
The complaint was first filed in 2024, soon after the teaser of the film was released. The teaser, which dropped last week, gave audiences a glimpse of the clash between the two Jollys, with Akshay and Arshad reprising their iconic roles.
The Jolly LLB franchise has previously been well-received. The 2013 original, starring Arshad Warsi, became a sleeper hit with collections of nearly ₹50 crore on a modest budget. Its 2017 sequel, led by Akshay Kumar, turned into a blockbuster, grossing over ₹200 crore worldwide.
Produced by Star Studio 18 and directed by Subhash Kapoor, Jolly LLB 3 is scheduled for theatrical release on September 19, 2025.