The makers of the film PM Narendra Modi, a biopic on the current prime minister Narendra Modi have moved the Supreme Court against the stalling of the film's release. The court has agreed to hear the case on April 15.
The Election Commission of India (EC) put a ban on the release of the biopic during poll season on Wednesday, 10 April, just a day before it was slated to be released. In its order, the commission said that “any such film that subserves purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in the electronic media.”
The Vivek Oberoi-starrer, which was scheduled to be released on 11 April, had received a ‘Universal’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) merely hours before the EC ban.
Earlier, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 9 April, had dismissed a petition filed by a Congress activist seeking stay on the release of the biopic, and said the Election Commission would be an “appropriate” place to seek the redressal.
The plea had sought deferment of the biopic’s release till the completion of the coming Lok Sabha polls, alleging that it was designed to “manipulate, influence and impress viewers and voters”.
The film, titled PM Narendra Modi and directed by Omung Kumar, had been facing criticism from the Opposition parties, who claimed that the biopic could give undue advantage to the BJP in the polls.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)