The Election Commission banned the release of Modi biopic saying “no biopic serving any political purpose can be displayed.” The biopic received a ‘Universal’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) merely hours before the EC ban.
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New Delhi: The Election Commission of India stalled the release of ‘PM Narendra Modi on Thursday, a biopic on the Prime Minister till the completion of Lok Sabha elections.
The film was scheduled to release on April 11, the day of the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls.
The film, titled “PM Narendra Modi” and directed by Omung Kumar and with Vivek Oberoi playing the titular role, has been criticised by the opposition parties, who claim that the biopic could give undue advantage to the BJP in the polls as it will arrive in theatres before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The Election Commission banned the release of Modi biopic saying “no biopic serving any political purpose can be displayed.”
The biopic received a ‘Universal’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) merely hours before the EC ban.
The poll panel’s move comes a day after the Supreme Court refused to stay the release, saying that the EC is the appropriate forum to decide whether the production tilts electoral balance in the favour of any party.
The EC has written to the I&B Ministry as well as Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) that a committee headed by a retired judge of Supreme Court or Chief Justice of High Court will henceforth vet all political electronic content (films included) for Model Code violation, The Indian Express reported.
Earlier in the day, the CBFC issued a ‘U’ certificate from the censor board. Elated on the film’s clearance, producer Sandip Singh, 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 Bombay High Court had also disposed of a plea seeking deferment of the biopic’s release, saying the Election Commission will deal with the issue.
Titled “PM Narendra Modi”, the biopic which was slated to be released on April 5, was later deferred to April 11.