Plea to quash suspension of 'The Da Vinci Code'

Chennai, Jun 16 (UNI) A writ petition was today filed in Madras High Court, seeking to quash an order suspending the screening of controversial film ''The Da Vinci Code'' in Tamil Nadu and direct the authorities to permit showing of the film in theatres.

The petition, filed by Sony Pictures Releasing of India Limited, Mumbai through Mr Appu Kumar Singh, authorised signatory and Mr A V Mohan, Proprietor, Anuroshni Films, Chennai, is likely to come up for hearing tomorrow.

In their petition, Mr Mohan submitted Sony Pictures Releasing of India Limited was a branch office of a foreign company (Delaware Corporation) and was engaged inter alia in the distribution of films of Sony Pictures Entertainment in India.

It appointed him as distributor of the 'The Da Vinci Code' for Tamil Nadu. He was filing this petition on behalf of Sony Pictures Releasing of India Limited also.

Mr Mohan submitted that the book written by American author Dan Brown was a hit all over the world, including India. It was in the best seller category of fiction and not banned.

Globally, the film had been released peacefully in 65 countries.

There had been no law and order problem despite the fact that majority of the population were Christians.

The film was certified by Central Board of Film Certification under the "A" category on May 23. Senior representatives of the Christian community saw the film and gave their consent for screening it.

In keeping with requirement of Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Central Board of Film Certification, the petitioners have inserted a disclaimer, clearly indicating the fictitious nature of the film, at the start and end.

The disclaimer card running for 15 seconds says the characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein were fictitious and any similarity to the name, character or history of any person was entirely coincendental and unintentional.

The film had been released in India only after duly considering and taking into account the sentiments and opinion of the Christian community.

However, the Commissioner of Police by June one, 2006 order suspended the screening of the film for two months, he added.

Mr Mohan sent a representation to the government to lift the suspension. But there was no action. Hence the present petition.

UNI XR GM MSJ BST1905