Delhi HC asks Prakash Jha to remove the word 'Bata' from Chakravyuh's Mehangai song

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has asked film maker Prakash Jha to remove the word ‘ Bata’ from a controversial song Mehangai in his upcoming film Chakravyuh.

In the order passed today by Judge Kailash Gambhir, the court has directed the filmmaker to not air the song until the word Bata is removed. Harshvardhan Jha, the lawyer representing Prakash Jha Productions said they would wait for order copy before deciding future course of action. Shoe-maker Bata had sought an injunction against the song, which seems to suggest that large business groups in India and companies like Bata have exploited the poor for profits. According to the shoemaker, the words in the song were "harmful, malicious and defamatory".

Bata's petition has made the Censor Board, which cleared the song, singer Kailash Kher and Youtube which uploaded it, key parties to its suit. This is apart from Jha, the lyricist and Jha's production house.

Like Bata, even the Birla family has also demanded removal of the word Birla from the song. "The Birla Group is deeply hurt, and has strong reservations against the use of their name in such a derogatory manner in the song," the legal notice filed by law firm Khaitan & Co on October 3 said.

The song, written by TM Turaz, also takes a dig at the Ambanis and the Tatas. They, however, have not yet reacted to the song.

As per the directions of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the film's promo is already carrying a disclaimer saying "the names used in the song are symbolic and do not intend to harm or disrespect any brand or individual". Prakash Jha has maintained that the use of these names in the song were symbolic. Chakravyuh releases on October 24.