SC upholds Election Commission decision to not let PM Narendra Modi be released before 19 May

The Supreme Court today upheld the decision of the Election Commission (EC) to put a stay on the release of the movie PM Narendra Modi till all seven phases of the general elections are over till 19 May.

It has dismissed the plea filed by the makers of the film challenging the decision of the EC on the grounds that the film has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The bench, comprising chief justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, stated that this is not a matter of certification.

The EC had come up with its decision to stay the release of the movie, which is a biopic on India’s prime minister Narendra Modi, on 24 April after the SC had directed it to watch the movie fully. In its report, the EC said that the movie is more of a hagiography than a biopic.

A part of the report said, “Eulogising of the character Narendra Modi is very clear right through the movie. More than biography, it is hagiography. There are several scenes depicting a major opposition party as corrupt and showing them in poor light. Their leaders have been depicted in such a manner that their identification is clear and obvious to the viewers [sic].”

Directed by Omung Kumar B, PM Narendra Modi sees Vivek Anand Oberoi play the role of Modi.