EC officials watch Modi biopic: Decision on April 19
New Delhi, Apr 18: Officials of the Election Commission (EC), drawn from its model code and legal divisions, on Wednesday watched the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the directions of the Supreme Court.
The
EC
had
asked
the
producers
of
the
film
to
arrange
for
a
screening
for
its
committee.
The
screening
was
"longish"
as
officials
also
discussed
various
aspects,
sources
said.
Now
the
EC
will
take
a
considered
view
on
whether
the
ban
should
continue
and
submit
its
decision
to
the
Supreme
Court
by
April
19
in
a
sealed
cover.
The Supreme Court had on Monday directed the EC to watch the full biopic on Modi and take an informed decision on banning its pan-India release.
A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna had said it will consider the EC report and hear the matter on April 22.
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Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for film producers who challenged the EC's ban, said the poll panel had taken the decision after watching just the promo and it did not watch the entire movie.
The EC had on April 10 stalled the release of the film until the Lok Sabha polls end, saying any such film that subserves the purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in electronic media.
Acting on the complaints of political parties, including the Congress, the poll panel had asserted that any biopic material with the potential to disturb the level-playing field should not be displayed in areas where the model code of conduct was in force.
The Modi biopic, starring Vivek Oberoi in the lead, has been the most-talked about movie in this election season. Directed by Omung Kumar, it tells the story of Modi's rise to power from his humble beginnings.