Da Vinci Code to be released

Hyderabad, July 19: After hopping over several hurdles, the controversial film Da Vinci Code, based on a novel by Dan Brown, would be released in 35 theatres in Andhra Pradesh, including nine in the city on July 21.

Andhra Pradesh High Court had quashed the State government's ban on the release of the film.

Lakshmi Ganapati Films, the distributors of the film, however, appealed to the High Court against the ban. The Court expressed surprise that the officer, who signed the order, had neither read the book, nor seen the film before issuing the order. After going through the pros and cons of the case, the High Court set aside the ban order.

Notwithstanding the government appeal against the High Court Order, the distributors had decided to release the film. However, Prasads IMAX the multiplex, where it was earlier slated to be screened, backed out. There were angry demonstrations at the cinema hall, where the picture was earlier slated to be released. Some damage was also inflicted to its property.

The distributors had decided to go ahead and release the film as the High Court had reserved its verdict on the government's appeal.

Talking to newspersons here yesterday, Film Distribution company Proprietor B Subrahmaniam said the film was about solving the mystery of a murder and had nothing to do with any religion. The portions objectionable to certain religious groups were already removed by the censors, he added.

The Christian opinion makers had appealed to the Christian community, not to hamper the screening of the film, as it was not against Jesus Christ or Christianity.

UNI