National-award winning film 'Court' not to screen in Bengaluru

Multi-lingual movie "Court", which won the national award for best film, will not be released here because of its "sensitive, political, and risky" content, its makers today said.
The courtroom drama, directed by debut filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane, was released in over 150 screens across India on April 17.
"It saddens us to no end, but unfortunately we have to declare this - COURT will not be playing in Bangalore. We tried in every way we could, but were confronted with circumstances that go beyond the world of artistic freedom. We were only constantly told that 'It's a sensitive, political, and risky situation'," reads a post on the film's Facebook page.

The film revolves around a case of abetment of suicide filed against a 'Lok Shahir' or a ballad singer in a lower court in Mumbai involving legal action against him including those under the controversial UAPA (the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act).
"The precise nature of the issue, the actual names of the people and associations who might object - we don't know ourselves. But we do know for a fact that it has nothing to do with the nature or content of the film, or the availability of the slots in theatres. The entire team is crestfallen; everyday we get so many queries and requests from Bangalore - well, we tried," the post further read.

"Court" -- which is in English, Marathi, Hindi, and Gujarati -- has won 18 international awards, including the Lion of the Future Award for the best first feature at the Italian fest since its premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival last September.