The fight over PM Narendra Modi biopic seems likely to continue. The makers of the film have filed a plea to challenge the stay on the film's release. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the plea on Monday.
The Election Commission on Wednesday had stayed the film's release citing that it would influence the 'level playing field' to be maintained during the ongoing general elections. The biopic on the incumbent prime minister, features Vivek Anand Oberoi, and was scheduled to release on 11 April.
However, the makers have now moved a plea in the Supreme Court of India challenging the stay. ANI reported that the court will hear the plea on 15 April.
The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed the petition against the stay on the film citing it to be 'premature' to ban a film before it was certified. The court had also stated that the decision on whether the film violates the model code of conduct lies with the Election Commission.
The film received its 'U' certification on 10 April, a day before its scheduled theatrical release. However, immediately after certification, the Election Commission announced a stay on the film citing the model code of conduct. The film is currently in limbo till the voting for the general elections conclude on 19 May.
According to IANS, the producers of the film have filed a plea raising issues of their 'fundamental rights to speech and expression' that has been affected by the ban.
PM Narendra Modi is produced by Sandeep Ssingh, Suresh Oberoi,Anand Pandit and Manish Acharya. The film also features Prashant Narayanan, Boman Irani among others.