Biopic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was earlier scheduled to release on April 5, was pushed on a week later. But just a day before its release the Election Commission of India halted the movie’s released until the elections are over. Against the EC’s order, producer Sandip Ssingh has moved to the Supreme Court. The SC has agreed to hear the case on April 15.
Lawyer of the filmmakers, Hitesh Jain, told The Indian Express on Thursday that the makers will move the apex court under Article 32 of the Constitution stating that the EC’s order is a violation of their freedom of speech and expression.
Jain said, “A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court has already held that although the EC has plenary power under Article 324 of the Constitution, these powers have their limitations. When Parliament or any state legislature has already made a valid law then the EC should act in conformity with that law and it cannot transgress it. As far as film release goes, CBFC is the appropriate authority to take decisions under the law.”
The stall order by election commission said that such films “affect the level playing field which is not in consonance with the provisions of Model Code of Conduct.”
The order has also stalled the release of other movies like ‘Lakshmi’s NTR’ and ‘Udyama Simham’.
Biopic ‘PM Narendra Modi’ has been granted “Unrestricted” (U) certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), on Tuesday, said the film’s director Omung Kumar.
Encouraged by the clearance of the film, producer Sandip Ssingh, said in a statement, “We are very happy that we got the ‘U’ certificate from the Censor Board, and finally the film will be releasing on April 11. We are also very relieved that the Supreme Court has rejected the plea. It is clear now from everywhere. I hope no political party across India has any problem, because the Election Commission, the CBFC, and all the courts have cleared all the pleas, and our film is ready for release. We are grateful to each and everyone who has prayed for us.”
The film was earlier scheduled to release on April 5 but later postponed. With Vivek Anand Oberoi in the titular role, the film stars Boman Irani, Barkha Bisht, Darshan Kumar, Zarina Wahab, Manoj Joshi, and others.