Jodha-Akbar controversy reaches Supreme Court

[netfree]

NEW DELHI: The producer of controversial Bollywood film, Jodha-Akbar, has approached the Supreme Court for lifting of the ban imposed on the film's screening by various state governments.

The film producer, UTV Software Communication, alleged that the film has been banned by state governments allegedly for political reasons and without giving any reasoning.

The Governments of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttaranchal have banned the screening of the film after a section of people objected over the alleged wrong depiction of some historical characters in the film, the petition said.

“The fundamental right to speech and expression is being trampled over by the various state governments with the sole objective of gaining political mileage by banning the film,� the producer said.

It also pointed out that all necessary approval were taken by it from the authorities, including the Censor Board of Film Certification, before releasing the film.

“The film has been banned in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and various cities of Haryana and Rajasthan not on the basis of any law but on the basis of administrative orders which is completely unconstitutional,� it said.

Although the High Courts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have already directed the respective state governments to ensure safe and smooth screening of the film, the producers approached the apex court to sort out the problem in other states.

The petitioner said that ongoing controversy was causing financial loss to it as approximately Rs 41 crore were spent in the making of the film and an additional Rs four crore were spent on its publicity.