Punjab and Haryana HC to hear plea for certification of Accidental Prime Minister tomorrow

Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 8

Just about three days before its release, the screening of “The Accidental Prime Minister” on Tuesday came under the judicial scanner with the filing of a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Appearing on behalf of petitioner Anumit Singh before the High Court Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Krishna Murari, counsel Kannan Malik sought hearing on the matter.

After hearing Malik’s request, the Bench made it clear that the petition would come up for hearing on Wednesday.

The Bollywood flick is based on a similarly titled book by Sanjaya Baru, the former media advisor to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.  Actors Anupam Kher and Akshaye Khanna play Manmohan Singh and Baru in the movie scheduled to hit the screen on Friday.

The petitioner in his plea filed against the Union of India, and other respondents, has primarily challenged the “certification” and has sought stay on its screening.

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) guidelines on films based on real-life characters make a no objection certificate mandatory. Among other things, Malik on petitioner’s behalf has asserted that the movie undermines the integrity and authority of the Prime Minister’s office.

Malik has also averred that Dr Manmohan Singh was a public figure and the movie intended to lower his image. Besides it was a political propaganda in the season of elections in the country.