Yet to be released movie ‘PM Narendra Modi‘ seems to entrap in disputes more and more with every passing day. After the release date of the film (April 5) was announced, opposition parties became restless and went to the Election Commission seeking a stay order on the film. EC sent a notice to the makers.
In answer to the notice sent by EC to the producers of ‘PM Narendra Modi‘, the makers said that postponing the movie will be “violation of freedom of speech and expression, and demeans the intellect of the electorate”.
Meanwhile, Satish Sugriv Gaikwad, a Pune-based political activist, and lawyer filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Bombay High Court, also seeking a stay order on the release of the film. The PIL is filed through advocates Ganesh Gupta and Tosif Shaikh. A bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice NM Jamdar granted an urgent hearing to the petitioner and directed the ECI to file its reply by Monday.
According to the petition, the film is just a propaganda and its release just before the Lok Sabha elections will affect the polls. It claims that it could manipulate voters to cast their vote in favor of a certain candidate, which is not a healthy election process. The petition also asks to remove all the available teasers and trailers from the public domain as for now.
Ssingh told Bombay Times, “We have submitted all the requisite papers with proof and other documents to the ECI. We have not made a propaganda film. Living in this democracy, we have made a film that we thought could inspire the youth of this country. It speaks about PM Narendra Modi and his journey from being a chaiwala to becoming the PM of the country. It’s a simple, straightforward film. Everyone should be allowed to exercise freedom of speech. We have always lived by the law of the land; we will follow what it tells us to do even now. Political parties that are busy casting aspersions on my film and labeling it as propaganda should ideally be worried about their work and their candidates in their respective constituencies. My film should not be their concern. I wonder why they think that a mere film can divert the minds of millions of Indians and that by simply watching my film they will vote for certain people. If that was the case, every political figure in this country would focus on making a film instead of working for their people. The ECI served a notice to us and we promptly replied. We were in Delhi for that. At this juncture, I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I want my film to release on its set date. People are seeking a ban or a temporary stay on my film’s release. A reply will be filed on that also. Lawyers are working on it. But I am worried because a lot of effort and monetary investment has gone into this film; it should not be used by any party for its political gains. If this film gets banned, or a stay is imposed, or if we are made to change the release date now, I will be forced to assess if we as filmmakers really have a voice or if we really have any freedom of speech and thought.”