“31st October” starring Soha Ali Khan and Vir Das is a film that revolves around the incidents leading up to the assassination of Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The film is a story about the family which struggles amidst riots. A petition was filed saying that the film portrays a well-known celebrity in a ‘bad light’. Ajay Katara, in his petition, says that the film has targeted a particular person and invites hatred against them and thereby wrongs the Right of Expression.
Chief Justice G. Rohini and other jury said advocate Ajay Katara, the petitioner, should have first approached Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before approaching the court. Mr. Katara withdrew the petition and said he would approach the court again.
The petition sought wants the film makers to delete certain scenes and also it restrict the film from being released on Friday.
“As evident from the trailers, posters and banners there are various scenes in the film that are aimed at and targeted against a political figure and paint him in a bad light,” the petition stated. “From whatever little is shown in the trailers, it is clear that the action and words used by the said character are of an offending nature. They have all the ingredients to tarnish the reputation of a particular person.”
For the time being, the film is on hold and the release dates are yet not finalized.
