Election Commission bans release of PM Modi biopic, cites Model Code of Conduct

The Election Commission has stalled the release PM Narendra Modi’s biopic starring Vivek Oberoi citing the Model Code of Conduct. The movie was slated to hit the theatre screens tomorrow. “Any biopic that subserves purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in electronic media,” the Election Commission said in its order. Earlier in the day, the biopic titled PM Narendra Modi, which is directed by Omung Kumar, was issued a ‘Universal’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ahead of its release on Thursday. “We are very happy that we got the ‘U’ certificate from the Censor Board, and finally the film will be releasing on April 11. We are also very relieved that the Supreme Court has rejected the plea... It is clear now from everywhere,” producer Sandeep Singh said in a statement.

The lead actor of the film had slammed those raising issue against the political drama. I don't understand why some people are overreacting like this. “Why are such senior and famous lawyers like Abhishek Singhvi ji and Kapil Sibal ji wasting time on filing a PIL on such a modest film? Don't know if they are scared of the film or of Chowkidar's 'danda',” Oberoi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. On the portrayal of the Prime Minister on the silver screen, Oberoi said that, “We are not projecting Modi ji as larger than life, he already is larger than life. We are not projecting him as a hero, he already is a hero ,not only for me but for crores of people in India and abroad. Its an inspirational story which we brought to the screen.”

The film was criticised by the opposition parties, who claim that the biopic could give undue advantage to the BJP in the polls as it will arrive in theatres before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Supreme Court had on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking a stay on the release of the biopic PM Narendra Modi. The top court said the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi was yet to receive a certificate from the Censor Board. The court said that it will be decided by the Election Commission whether the movie can violate the Model Code of Conduct.

The film was originally scheduled to hit the theatres on April 5 but due to certain hurdles by "powerful people", the release got delayed to April 11, the same day first phase of Lok Sabha elections starts. Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, who is portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his controversial biopic, has reacted sharply after the film’s release got postponed to April 11.

Oberoi, a staunch supporter of Modi, said that some powerful people created difficulties for them, and they couldn’t release the prime minister’s biopic on April 5, less than a week before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.