Centre blocks controversial film on Indira Gandhi

New Delhi, Aug 22: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday blocked the release of a controversial Punjabi

on the assassination of former prime minister

on Friday.

Earlier, the Home Ministry had expressed reservations over the content of the film, titled Kaum De Heere (jewels of the community) and advised the information ministry to take a relook before giving clearance to the film. The Home Ministry said some of the content of the film was "highly objectionable" and could lead to communal tension in Punjab and other adjoining states.

Sources put the film, reportedly based on the lives of the former prime minister's assassins - Beant Singh, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh, glorified their acts.

Recently, there were reports that the chief executive officer of the Censor Board, Rakesh Kumar, was arrested by the CBI for allegedly receiving a bribe of Rs 1 lakh for giving clearance to the film.

The film's producer, Pradeep Bansal, however defended it saying it was based on facts as per the findings of Justice Thakkar Commission which had probed the assassination that took place on the morning of October 31, 1984. Indira Gandhi was on way to an interview when her Sikh bodyguards opened fire at her at her residence in New Delhi.

The producer said the film is based on truth and did not insult any religion

Bansal said the film was a balanced one where no religion or sect had been insulted. He alleged that some people were trying to create an controversy without actually watching the movie.

The film, which was given 'A' certificate by the Censor Board, was scheduled to release in over 100 cinema halls in North India on Friday.

Oneindia News