SC refuses to interfere with EC's order banning release of Modi biopic until May 19
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere in the Election Commission’s decision to temporarily stay the release of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi till the polling process was complete.
EC, in a sealed report submitted to the top court earlier this week, had conveyed its decision not to change its previous stance after a panel of the poll watchdog watched the movie.
The EC ban on releasing the Vivek Oberoi-starrer ‘PM Narendra Modi’ till the end of the general elections had been challenged by the moviemakers, saying it violated their right to freedom of speech and expression. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had then asked the poll panel to watch the film and submit a report explaining its decision in a sealed cover.
The bench has decided to go by the report to refuse to interfere in the issue. The other judges on the bench were Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjeev Khanna.
In its report, the poll panel said it found the film to be hagiographical, i.e. deferential to the dramatis personae, and would disturb the level playing field amid the Lok Sabha polls.
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EC was initially reluctant to stop the release of the biopic on a prayer by the opposition parties, but it was later asked by the court to have a look at the issue. The poll panel had then stayed its release, along with some other movies portraying political leaders in a flattering light, till the end of the elections.
Under the EC rules, every candidate and party can spend limited amount as poll expenses. But the rules do not envisage any cinematographic depiction of any candidate or party or any expenses on making it.
'Sardar', 'Thackeray', 'Yatra': 8 Political Movies To Binge-Watch This Poll Season
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The 2019 Lok Sabha elections have kicked off in India. As the world's largest democracy gears up to choose its next leader, a strong sense of patriotism can be sensed amongst voters and the Indian film industry as well. This year has already witnessed the release of a number of biopics on political leaders and there's more to come.
As the film fraternity aims to keep fans on their toes with a politically-strong dose of entertainment, here are 8 movies you must binge-watch this poll season.
The 2019 Lok Sabha elections have kicked off in India. As the world's largest democracy gears up to choose its next leader, a strong sense of patriotism can be sensed amongst voters and the Indian fi..
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Ketan Mehta's 'Sardar' is a 1993 biographical drama on one of India's greatest freedom fighters, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The film featured Paresh Rawal as Patel and was an account of Sardar Patel's political career as India slowly traced its way to independence.
The movie received positive response from critics and Rawal was hailed for his larger than life portrayal of Patel.
Ketan Mehta's 'Sardar' is a 1993 biographical drama on one of India's greatest freedom fighters, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The film featured Paresh Rawal as Patel and was an account of Sardar Patel's..
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Directed by Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla, 'An Insignificant Man' is a 2017 socio-political documentary based on the rise of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal and how they shook Indian politics while trying to keep their ideology alive. The film featured Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Yogendra Yadav and Santosh Koli in pivotal roles.
The movie was about the rise of anti-corruption movement in India by AAP and how it gained traction through its campaigns. It captured the day-to-day functioning of AAP from December 2012 till December 2013 ending with the Delhi elections.
The movie was appreciated by critics and audiences and enjoyed a good theatrical run.
Directed by Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla, 'An Insignificant Man' is a 2017 socio-political documentary based on the rise of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal and how they shook Indian p..
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Krish's directorial 'N.T.R: Kathanayakudu' is a 2019 Telugu biographical film based on the life of actor, director and former Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. The movie featured Nandamuri Balakrishna and Vidya Balan in pivotal roles. Balan made her debut in the Telugu film industry with this one.
The film chronicles Rama Rao journey from being a film star to a politician whose urge to serve people becomes a bigger obsession than his love for cinema. It received mixed response from critics and fans and was not a big hit at the box office.
Krish's directorial 'N.T.R: Kathanayakudu' is a 2019 Telugu biographical film based on the life of actor, director and former Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. The movie featured Nandamuri Ba..
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'The Accidental Prime Minister', a Vijay Ratnakar Gutte directorial, is a biopic on India's former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The film is an adaptation of Sanjay Baru's memoir of the same name. Baru was Singh's media advisor. The film, which featured Anupam Kher and Akshaye Khanna in lead roles, released on January 11 this year. It showcased Singh's 10-year-long journey as a PM of the world's largest democracy. However, the movie was involved in a row of controversies before it could go on the floors.
It was first accused of tarnishing the reputation of few top officials. Later, a Delhi-based designer filed a complaint seeking a stay on the movie's trailer. Despite all turmoil, it released on the same date and was host to a mixed response from critics and fans. Kher's portrayal of Singh was rated 'convincing' and some fans termed the film as 'well made'.
'The Accidental Prime Minister', a Vijay Ratnakar Gutte directorial, is a biopic on India's former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The film is an adaptation of Sanjay Baru's memoir of the same name. B..
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Directed by Abhijit Pansey, 'Thackeray' is a 2019 biopic on the life of the late Shiv Sena founder, Bal Thackeray. The film featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Amrita Rao in lead roles and went on the floors on January 25 this year. This day marked Thackeray's 93rd birth anniversary.
The movie showcased the prime events of Thackeray's life and his achievements. 'Thackeray' initially was involved in a conflict with film certification board for some of its dialogues. It was host to a mixed response from critics, where majority did not give it a good review. Nevertheless, Siddiqui's strong portrayal of the former Shiv Sena chief was hailed by fans at large.
Directed by Abhijit Pansey, 'Thackeray' is a 2019 biopic on the life of the late Shiv Sena founder, Bal Thackeray. The film featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Amrita Rao in lead roles and went on the f..
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Mahi V. Raghav's directorial 'Yatra' is a 2019 Telugu biographical film which pays tribute to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The movie stars Mammotty in lead role and chronicles the life of Reddy as the CM from 2004 to 2009. Its main focus was the 900-mile walking tour which Reddy took as a part of his election campaign. Critics appreciated the makers for drawing a fine line between political drama and a propaganda movie. However, most fans said that the film did not do justice to the great leader.
Mahi V. Raghav's directorial 'Yatra' is a 2019 Telugu biographical film which pays tribute to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The movie stars Mammotty in lead role and c..
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A Vivek Agnihotri directorial, 'The Tashkent Files' revolves around the mysterious death of India's former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. The film featured Naseeruddin Shah and Mithun Chakraborty in pivotal roles. Few days before its release, the makers were served a legal notice by the former PM's grandsons.
The film was host to poor response from critics and was termed politically-motivated in light of the ongoing elections. However, the leading cast was hailed for its strong performance.
A Vivek Agnihotri directorial, 'The Tashkent Files' revolves around the mysterious death of India's former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. The film featured Naseeruddin Shah and Mithun Chakrabort..
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Nehal Dutta's 'Baghini: Bengal Tigress' is a 2019 movie inspired by the journey of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The film is slated to release on May 3. Its trailer is out and the film was earlier believed to be a biopic on Banerjee. However, makers later clarified that it's only inspired by her struggle.
Nehal Dutta's 'Baghini: Bengal Tigress' is a 2019 movie inspired by the journey of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The film is slated to release on May 3. Its trailer is out and the film ..
