'The Accidental Prime Minister' movie trailer embroils into controversies

The plea, filed by a Delhi-based designer also mentions how the trailer is in violation of Rule 38 of the Cinematography Act and that it distorts the facts.

Saima Siddiqui
Published on: 7 Jan 2019 8:26 AM GMT
The Accidental Prime Minister movie trailer embroils into controversies
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'The Accidental Prime Minister' movie trailer embroils into controversies

New Delhi: A plea demanding a ban on the trailer of a film 'The Accidental Prime Minister', alleged to malign the image of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has been rejected by Delhi High Court, on Monday.

However, the single bench of HC directed the petitioner to change the plea to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) as the movie involves the office of the Prime Minister and then approach the division bench.

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The plea, filed by a Delhi-based designer also mentions how the trailer is in violation of Rule 38 of the Cinematography Act and that it distorts the facts.

"By performing the character of Manmohan Singh, (ex-PM), Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, the performing actors/ artists have committed offences punishable under Sections 416 (cheating by impersonation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and therefore, the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) could not have given the certificate for screening/ exhibition of the film,” the petition said.

“As per the provisions of Cinematography Act, only such film can be certified/ given certificate if it is not against the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or involves defamation or contempt of court or likely to incite the commission of an offence,” the petition claimed.

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The petition also points that due to the release of the trailer, the “post of prime minister is getting defamed on day to day basis in public domain before the public at large”.

The movie 'The Accidental Prime Minister' is based on a book of the same name by Sanjay Baru, Manmohan Singh’s media advisor at the time when he was holding PM office.

The character of Manmohan Singh is enacted by actor Anupam Kher. The other roles are played by actors like Akshaye Khanna as Sanjaya Baru a political commentator, Suzanne Bernert as Sonia Gandhi the former president of Indian National Congress, Aahana Kumra as Priyanka Gandhi the daughter of Sonia Gandhi, Arjun Mathur as Rahul Gandhi the son of Sonia Gandhi.

Many Congress party members also criticized Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for using this movie as a platform to malign party's image ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

However, Congress later asked its members not to speak on the film till further notice.

The film is slated for January 11 release.

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Saima Siddiqui

Saima Siddiqui

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