Court asks Maharashtra to lift ban on ‘Deshdrohi’
January 9th, 2009 - 9:34 pm ICT by IANS
Mumbai, Jan 9 (IANS) The Bombay High Court Friday pulled up the Maharashtra government for keeping the decision on the release of the Bhojpuri film “Deshdrohi” pending for nearly three months.The court directed the state government to lift the ban imposed on the film in November last year for two months and clear the way for its release in Maharashtra immediately.
The Maharashtra government had banned the screening of “Deshdrohi” in the state on the recommendation of the Mumbai Police.
The Mumbai Police feared that the film’s release could pose a law and order problem in view of the anti-north Indians agitation launched at the time by the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Bhojpuri actor Kamaal Khan, who plays the protagonist in the film, has also produced the film which deals with injustice and discrimination against north Indians in Mumbai.
“The high court’s order is a vindication of my stand that a film like ‘Deshdrohi’, which depicts the reality without casting aspersion against anybody, should never have been banned in Maharashtra. It was a pure coincidence that at the time the film was due to be released Nov 14, the MNS’ stir against north Indians happened to be at its peak,” Khan told the media after the high court’s order.
He said he would try to get the film released as soon as possible in Maharashtra.
Directed by Jagdish Sharma, the film also features Gracy Singh, Kim Sharma, Aman Verma, Ranjit, Kader Khan, Raza Murad, Avtaar Gill and Manoj Tiwari.
- Controversial film 'Deshdrohi' banned in Maharashtra - Nov 13, 2008
- Maharashtra government yielding to fascist elements: Mahesh Bhatt - Jan 25, 2009
- Apex court refuses to ban release of 'Deshdrohi' in Maharashtra - Jan 22, 2009
- Supreme Court to hear Maharashtra Government stay plea on Deshdrohi case - Jan 23, 2009
- Apex court refuses to stop screening of 'Deshdrohi' in Maharashtra - Jan 23, 2009
- Stone-pelting cases: Raj Thackeray gets bail from Aurangabad court - Feb 09, 2011
- Apex court refuses to ban 'Deshdrohi' release Friday (Lead) - Jan 22, 2009
- Raj Thackeray gets bail in rioting cases, hours after surrender - Feb 25, 2010
- Mumbai Congress MP Nirupam stirs hornet's nest - Oct 24, 2011
- Apex Court seeks Uttar Pradesh's reply on 'Aarakshan' (Lead) - Aug 16, 2011
- 'Raajneeti' in more trouble, but Jha won't buckle under - May 15, 2010
- Maharashtra opposition slams government on Kripashankar - Mar 02, 2012
- Kolkata rape: Accused declared proclaimed offender - Apr 15, 2012
- Migrants row resurfaces in Maharashtra - Jan 27, 2009
- First Bhojpuri film to be screened during Bihar Divas - Mar 17, 2011
Tags: aman verma, avtaar, bombay high court, gracy singh, jagdish sharma, kader khan, kamaal khan, manoj tiwari, mumbai police, raj thackeray