A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed against "Shorgul", an upcoming Bollywood film touching upon Muzaffarnagar, Godhra and post-Babri Masjid demolition riots, over apprehensions that it "may damage the reputation" of BJP legislator Sangeet Som. He has demanded the film's promotions and release be put on hold.
Milan Som, a local leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), on Thursday filed the PIL against the movie, which stars popular actors Jimmy Sheirgill and Ashutosh Rana.
According to Milan Som, Jimmy's character Ranjeet Som is inspired by Sangeet Som, while Sanjay Suri's role of Mithilesh Yadav is based on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and actor Narendra Jha's portrayal of Alim Khan is based on cabinet minister Azam Khan.
So, he has demanded "cancellation of the certificate granted to this film" for "deliberately and maliciously outraging the image of Sangeet Som, an MLA of Sardhana".
The PIL states: "The film 'Shorgul' is based on politics, on the basis of religion and on riots of Muzaffarnagar... In the film, in a large number of scenes, Jimmy Sheirgill has used words and dialogues in objectionable scenes, which are definitely indecent, offensive, destructive..."
He is also concerned that the movie "may ruin the image of Sangeet Som" and may also lead to communal riots.
"Respondents to immediately stop all songs, promos, advertisments and exhibition of this film till the disposal of the instant petition," the PIL further read.
Set against the backdrop of Uttar Pradesh, the film, co-directed by P. Singh and Jitendra Tiwari, is based on intolerance and aspires to make the audience contemplate where humanity stands amidst the noise of religious, social, political and economic prejudice.
From the film's trailer, Milan Som conjectures that the character played by Jimmy is "very negative".
"We will take to every street, town and city and protest against this. We will not let this movie release, our sentiments have been hurt," Milan Som told IANS.
"The trailer of the film was launched five days ago, and the role of Sangeet Som (played by Jimmy) is very negative. He (his character) has been shown consuming alcohol, involved in violent activities and on top of that, he has been shown in an objectionable position with a female," he said.
--IANS
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