The upcoming film Ajay: The Untold Story of a Yogi, inspired by the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has hit a roadblock with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), prompting the makers to approach the Bombay High Court. The film, which aims to showcase Yogi Adityanath’s transformation from a saint to the Chief Minister of India’s most populous state, has been caught in a certification delay that now threatens its planned release on 1 August 2025.

The production house, Samrat Cinematic India Private Limited, has filed a petition accusing the CBFC of behaving in an “arbitrary and dilatory” manner while processing the application for certification. In their plea, the producers emphasized that the delay is unjustified and has put the film's release schedule in jeopardy, despite all required documents having been submitted well in advance.

During the hearing, a bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale issued a notice to the CBFC, seeking a prompt response. The court has taken cognizance of the matter and directed the Board to clarify its position.

A central point of contention is the CBFC’s reported demand for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office. The filmmakers argue that this demand is not only unprecedented but also outside the legal framework of the certification process, especially when the film is "inspired" by real events rather than a direct biographical depiction.

The movie draws from Shantanu Gupta’s book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, and promises to explore lesser-known aspects of Yogi Adityanath’s personal and political life. With the film already in the spotlight due to its political subject, the delay has further intensified curiosity around it. Now, all eyes are on the Bombay High Court's next move and whether the CBFC will be compelled to expedite the certification process.