KATHMANDU, April 11: India's Election Commission has stopped the release of ‘PM Narendra Modi’ until the elections conclude on May 19, the Times of India reported. The film was scheduled to be released today -- coinciding the first day of India's general elections.
The EC’s decision came on the very day that the Central Board of Film Certification gave a green signal to "PM Narendra Modi".
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The decision comes as the biopic, starred by Vivek Oberai, could influence election results. More than 900 celebrated personalities, including actors, have urged citizens to vote for the Narendra Modi led Bharat Janata Party (BJP). More than 800 million Indian citizens are voting in the General Elections that has started from today. In the first phase, 20 states and federally-administered regions are holding elections. There are 543 seats at stake, Reuters said.
“Any Biopic material in nature of biography subserving the purpose of any political entity or any individual entity connected to it, which has potential to disturb level playing field during the election, should not be displayed in Electronic media including cinematograph during the operation of Model Code of Conduct,” the order reads.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by a Congress activist seeking a stay on the release of the biopic on PM Modi saying the Election Commission would be an "appropriate" place to seek the redressal.
The apex court said it was not entertaining the petition for the stay on the release of the film which would be "premature" in view of the fact that the movie is yet to be certified by the Censor Board.
