SC order on Bangla satire may have bearing on EC call on PM Modi biopic

A recent Supreme Court order asking the West Bengal to ensure “unrestrained” release and screening of Bangla film Bhobishyoter Bhoot is likely to have a bearing on the Election Commission of India’s decision on the biopic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people familiar with the matter told ET.

The EC is currently examining complaints that timing of the slated release of the Modi biopic on April 5, days ahead of the start of the general elections, is a violation of its model code of conduct.

Now, EC is examining the issue in the light of the apex court’s observations in the Bhobishyoter Bhoot case, underlining the censor board’s clearance for the film and the freedom to right of expression and of viewership, the sources said.


“The state of West Bengal is duty bound, once the film has been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification, to take necessary measures to protect the fundamental right to free speech and expression of the producer and the director and, for that matter, of the viewers to see the film unrestrained by extra- constitutional restraints,” the top court had observed in its March order on the Bangla political satire.

The Modi biopic on Monday got a go ahead from the Delhi High Court that dismissed a petition seeking stay on it, but the Bombay High Court hearing a petition on the issue had left the matter to the EC to decide.

Vivek Oberoi-starrer ‘PM Narendra Modi’ has run into controversy with several parties and leaders objecting to the timing of its release. The Congress party, among others, has alleged that the movie release was deliberately aimed at influencing voters ahead of Lok Sabha elections and was in violation of EC’s model code of conduct.

Following the complaints, EC had issued a notice to the producers of the movie who have claimed that the film has not been funded by BJP and hence cannot be considered politically motivated.