Trailers, songs of PM Narendra Modi removed from YouTube; web-series also under fire

In yet another blow to the makers of the biopic PM Narendra Modi, the film’s trailers and songs have been removed from YouTube. This comes only days after the release of the film was stayed by the Election Commission (EC) as it felt it ‘disturbs the level playing field’ during the Lok Sabha polls, which are currently underway in the country.

Over the last few months, the makers released the trailer and also a few songs from the film on YouTube. The trailer and all the songs from the film have been removed from the video sharing platform.

It is likely that the move has been initiated on the intervention of the EC, but we could not independently confirm the same. Efforts to reach the makers of the film did not elicit a response.

Directed by Omung Kumar B, the film is produced by Sandeep Ssingh and Suresh Oberoi. It stars Vivek Anand Oberoi in the role of prime minister Narendra Modi.

But this is not all. Earlier this month, a web-series on Modi also went live on the digital streaming platform Eros Now. Titled Modi: Journey Of The Common Man, the web-series is directed by Umesh Shukla.

As per the latest developments, the web-series too has come under fire from the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for allegedly streaming it without the certificate from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC). As per a report in The Indian Express, the letter signed by the Election Officer has been written to the EC principal secretary Narendra Butolia alleging the same.

The report also mentions that the District Election Officer (DEO) has also written a letter to the Delhi CEO asking if the web-series had obtained the MCMC certification, in the absence of which an FIR can be filed against Eros Now.

On 12 April, the makers of the film PM Narendra Modi filed a plea in the Supreme Court challenging the stay of the film’s release by the EC. SC will hear the matter today.