Seems like Boman Irani, Veer Das-starrer 'Santa Banta Pvt Ltd' is in some mess.
Though the government and the Censor Board told that there is nothing objectionable in the movie, which makes fun of the Sikh community, the Court, on Wednesday, reserved its order that it will pronounce its verdict after watching the movie.
This came on the backdrop of a plea made by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee which alleges, the movie, slated to be released on April 22, has objectionable references to the Sikh community.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath directed Viacom 18, which is promoting the film, to submit CDs of the movie, its trailer and preamble for its perusal.
Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, appearing for the Central Board of Film Certification, said that under the Cinematograph Act, only the producers can challenge CBFC's order, who has already passed it after considering all asoects, in the appellate tribunal and the petitioner cannot do so in this matter.
Jain added, the Court could direct the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to reconsider the film's certification under the provisions of the Act.
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'Santa Banta Pvt Ltd' producers and director were against any reconsideration of the certificate by the government or any such direction by the court, saying this would amount to questioning the board's decision which took a call after seeing the movie.
They even added that the petitioners objected even before watching the movie.
'Santa Banta Pvt Ltd,' a suspense comedy directed by Akashdeep SabirBoman Irani, has Vir Das, Lisa Haydon, Neha Dhupia and veteran actors like Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Vijayraaz and Ayub Khan in it.