Court orders takedown of docu alleging Modi-Adani ties
Friendship Files is a documentary by Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia
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Published: Oct 27, 2026 5:20 PM | 1 min read
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- The Calcutta High Court has ordered the removal of "The Friendship Files," a documentary by Sabeer Bhatia, from social media platforms, following a defamation suit by Adani Enterprises.
- The court characterized the documentary as a dramatized narrative, not a factual news report, and issued an interim order effective until January 31, 2027, directing platforms like YouTube, X, and Instagram to remove related posts.
- Bhatia is also prohibited from distributing the documentary, which examines the relationship between Prime Minister Modi and billionaire Gautam Adani, particularly regarding Adani's airport bids.
- The Adani Group and the government have denied allegations of cronyism, while Bhatia claims the lawsuit seeks 500 million rupees in damages and reflects Adani Enterprises' discomfort with the film's impact.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered social media platforms to remove The Friendship Files, a documentary by Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia alleging cronyism between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and billionaire Gautam Adani, Reuters reported.
The directive followed a defamation suit filed by Adani Enterprises, which argued that the 36-minute film contained false allegations and had prompted concerns among some investors. The court described the documentary as a dramatised narrative rather than a news report or an account of legal proceedings.
Under an interim order effective until January 31, 2027, YouTube, X and Meta-owned Instagram have been instructed to remove specified posts featuring the film. Bhatia has also been restrained from distributing the documentary. Further hearings are expected in January.
Bhatia said on X that the lawsuit seeks 500 million rupees ($5.25 million) in damages, adding that he believes the documentary has unsettled Adani Enterprises. The company said its legal action was not intended to prevent constructive criticism of government policies or corporate concentration.
The film uses archival footage to examine the relationship between Modi and Adani, including scrutiny of Adani's successful bids for six airports in 2019 following changes to government rules. The Adani Group and the government have denied allegations of preferential treatment.
The documentary attracted millions of views online and was widely shared by opposition figures. Maharashtra police had also issued Bhatia a takedown notice on October 19, describing the film's allegations as serious and unsubstantiated.
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