Responding to an Election Commission notice, the producers of the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi have reportedly said the allegations linking the movie with a political party are "false" and have "no basis in either fact and/or law."
The lawyer for the producers of the film, Hitesh Jain, was quoted by The Indian Express as saying:
“The said film has been made as a commercial venture by our clients and other producers who are from the film industry. If a producer who is producing a movie relating to a political figure and/or political party is presumed (to be) having a political nexus, then every movie made in India involving political leaders (past and present) will be identified as a propaganda movie.”Hitesh Jain, lawyer for the producers
‘Congress’ Complaint Baseless, Frivolous and Mala Fide’
The Election Commission had sought comments from the makers of biopic, titled PM Narendra Modi, on the Congress’ demand to stall its release. The film is slated for release on 5 April.
Opposition parties have alleged that the film violates the model code and would act like an advertisement for the BJP.
The producers called the complaint filed by the Congress "baseless, frivolous and mala fide in nature", adding that any postponement would "adversely affect the democracy and rule of law", wherein the freedom of expression would be held to ransom.
Vivek Oberoi, who plays the role of Modi, was at the Nirvachan Sadan, the EC headquarters, on Thursday afternoon.
While the producers of the biopic have responded to the EC notice, the BJP, which was also sent a copy, is yet to reply, EC sources cited by PTI said on Thursday.
Since the film has reference to the BJP, the party was also marked a copy. But it is yet to respond.
On 20 March, the East Delhi Returning Officer K Mahesh had issued suo motu notices to the production house and music company behind the film and two leading newspapers for publishing advertisements of the film.
Lawyer’s Company Was Partner for PM Modi’s Book
Interestingly, The Indian Express report also pointed out that Hitesh Jain, the lawyer representing the producers, is a director of BlueKraft Digital Foundation, which is the "technology and knowledge partner" for Exam Warriors – a book by PM Modi. That apart, his company was involved in releasing another book on the PM's Mann ki Baat radio address as well as videos titled 'Yoga with Modi'.
Responding to this, Jain told the daily that he is an "independent lawyer", with his company having "no link to the government".
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