Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Supreme Court Rules on Disability Humor in Indian Films
Nipun Malhotra, who has a condition called arthrogryposis, was upset by a movie trailer that made fun of people with disabilities.
He decided to challenge this in court.
The Supreme Court of India agreed with him and made a new rule.
This rule says that movies can't make jokes that hurt or make fun of people with disabilities.
The court wants movies to show these people with respect and understanding.
Nipun has also worked to make sure people with disabilities have the same chances as everyone else, like getting jobs and using public places.
He hopes that movies will now show people with disabilities as real people with full lives.
Nipun Malhotra challenged the portrayal of disability in the film 'Aankh Micholi', leading to a Supreme Court ruling in July 2024.
The Supreme Court distinguished between sensitive humour and 'disabling humour', which mocks or reduces people with disabilities to their conditions.
The ruling requires film certification authorities to check for abusive or stereotypical portrayals of disability before approving a film.
Nipun Malhotra co-founded the Nipman Foundation and Wheels for Life to advocate for accessibility and rights of people with disabilities.
He emphasizes the importance of involving people with disabilities in the storytelling process to ensure accurate and respectful representation.
- Who
- Nipun Malhotra, a person with arthrogryposis and disability rights advocate
- What
- Supreme Court of India ruled on the portrayal of disability in films, distinguishing between sensitive humour and 'disabling humour'
- When
- July 2024
- Where
- India
- Why
- To prevent the mockery and reduction of people with disabilities to their conditions in media
- Petitioner
- Nipun Malhotra
- Film in Question
- Aankh Micholi
- Supreme Court Verdict Date
- July 2024
- Key Legal Concept
- Disabling humour
- Nipun's Condition
- Arthrogryposis
- Organizations Founded
- Nipman Foundation, Wheels for Life
- Example of Positive Representation
- Margarita with a Straw