The Election Commission of India (EC) put a ban on the release of the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during poll season on Wednesday, 10 April, just a day before it was slated to be released. In its order, the commission said that “any such film that subserves purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in the electronic media.”
The order, according to a EC official, also applies to the broadcasting of NaMo TV, a 24x7 channel which focuses only on the speeches and rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Apart from the Modi biopic, the EC has also stopped the release of biopics on Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao called ‘Udyama Simham’ and former Andhra CM NT Rama Rao called ‘Laxmi’s NTR’ till end of elections.
The first phase of Lok Sabha elections starts Thursday, 11 April.
Vivek Oberoi Cancels Press Meet
The Vivek Oberoi-starrer biopic, which was scheduled to be released on 11 April, had received a ‘Universal’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) merely hours before the EC ban.
Oberoi was scheduled to speak to mediapersons in Maharashtra's Nagpur city on Wednesday afternoon, but he cancelled the meet after the EC announced its order.
The EC, in its statement said:
“...any biopic material in the nature of biography/hagiography sub-serving the purpose of any political entity or any individual entity connected to it, intended to or has the potential to disturb the level playing field of the elections, shall not be put to display in electronic media, in the area where the model code of conduct is in place.”
SC’s Refusal to Interfere
Earlier, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 9 April, had dismissed a petition filed by a Congress activist seeking stay on the release of the biopic, and said the Election Commission would be an “appropriate” place to seek the redressal.
The plea had sought deferment of the biopic’s release till the completion of the coming Lok Sabha polls, alleging that it was designed to “manipulate, influence and impress viewers and voters”.
The film, titled “PM Narendra Modi” and directed by Omung Kumar, had been facing criticism from the Opposition parties, who claimed that the biopic could give undue advantage to the BJP in the polls.
Cong Welcomes EC Order on Modi Biopic, Says 'Promising Step' Towards Level-Playing Field
The Congress Wednesday said the Election Commission order staying the screening of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ensure a level-playing field for all political parties during elections.
The EC banned the screening of the Vivek Oberoi-starrer biopic PM Narendra Modi during poll period, saying any such film that subserves the purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in the electronic media.
Welcoming the EC order, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the NaMo TV and the biopic were nothing but "misuse" of power by an "arrogant ruler facing defeat".
“The Election Commission’s decision staying the Modi biopic is an affirmation that none less than the Prime Minister of India was complicit in violating the Model Code of Conduct.”Randeep Surjewala
The Election Commission's order staying the "crass publicity gimmick" through 'Modi biopic' is a "promising step" in upholding and ensuring a 'level-playing field' in the ongoing elections, he told reporters.
“Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s quest for ‘I, Me, Myself’ through NaMo TV is also a boorish attempt at self-promotion. Both NaMo TV and the Modi biopic are nothing more than a flagrant misuse of money power by an arrogant ruler facing imminent defeat.”Randeep Surjewala
He said the party is glad that the Election Commission has acknowledged "multiple violations" of electoral law flagged by the Congress in its representations.
"The impunity with which the BJP and PM Modi were and are circumventing electoral laws and misusing official machinery is unprecedented," he said.
He said the Election Commission order means that NaMo TV "being run by the BJP as a propaganda tool" on electronic medium must also shut down.
"Yet, the BJP is continuing the same as an affront to the Election Commission's order.
"We urge the Election Commission to take appropriate action and ensure that NaMo TV is shut with immediate effect," he said.
The Congress takes its role of vigilance with utmost seriousness, and he said: "We know that the BJP has Rs 10-20-30 thousand crores to spend on their election campaign and movies about 'I, Me, Myself', about a person drunk on power who believes he is bigger than India...
"The nation has seen through these self-advertisements and self-promotion schemes of Prime Minister Modi," he said.
Surjewala said the Election Commission is adhering to the advice given by the Supreme Court.
(With ANI, PTI inputs)
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