Channels except DD can show films of actors in fray

NEW DELHI: Doordarshan cannot telecast films involving actors contesting the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission ruled today.

However, private TV channels and theatres are free to show such films, it said.

"...telecast of films other than commercial advertisement involving films actors who are contesting elections will not be restrained on TV channels or cinema theatres.

"However, telecast of such feature films (other than commercial advertisements) will not be allowed on Doordarshan during the period of the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, considering that Doordarshan is run on public funds," the EC said in an order.

CEO, Prasar Bharti and DG, Doordarshan had sought a reply from the poll panel on broadcast of films of actors contesting polls.

Prominent among the actors in the fray in the Lok Sabha polls are Hema Malini (Mathura), Raj Babbar (Ghaziabad), Naghma (Meerut), Vinod Khanna (Gurdaspur), Paresh Rawal (Ahmedabad-East), Mahesh Manjrekar (Mumbai North-West), Javed Jaffrey (Lucknow), Jayaprada (Bijnore), Gul Panang and Kirron Kher (Chandigarh).

Besides, a number of candidates are in the fray from AIADMK headed by former cine star J Jayalalithaa, who is also the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and heads the party.

The broadcast of a number of her films during the current poll campaign has stirred a controversy with the Opposition crying foul.