SC Asks Modi Biopic to Be Screened for EC, Next Hearing on 22 Apr

The Vivek Oberoi-starrer, which was scheduled to be released on 11 April, was stalled by the Election Commission.

Vivek Oberoi in and as PM Narendra Modi. 

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

The Supreme Court on Monday, directed the screening of biopic of PM Narendra Modi for the Election Commission. The court asked the poll panel to give its view on whether to release the movie or not in a sealed cover by Friday, 19 April.

The next hearing on the matter will be on 22 April.

The court  had on 12 April agreed to hear the matter, after the producers submitted the plea raising issues related to fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression.

The 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.

(With inputs from IANS, PTI)