PM Modi’s biopic should not be allowed to release till May 19 to ensure ‘free and fair’ polls, observes EC

In a setback to the makers of ‘PM Narendra Modi’ – a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi – the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday delayed the release of the film till May 19 to ensure “free and fair” Lok Sabha elections. After Supreme Court’s directions, the Election Commission watched the full movie and observed that the film, portraying the life of PM Modi, may hamper the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, thus, should not be released till May 19, when the last phase of elections ends.

"Election Commission is of the view that the movie 'PM Narendra Modi' should not be released till May 19. Poll Body officials say delaying the release will be in the interest of free and fair Lok Sabha elections," ANI news agency quoted the EC as saying.

Hearing a plea by the makers of the PM Modi’s biopic against the release ban, the Supreme Court had ordered the Election Commission to watch the movie and decide on whether it should be banned or not. The top court asked the poll panel to give its view to the court by April 22 in a sealed cover.

Earlier, the poll panel had banned the screening of the Vivek Oberoi-starrer biopic 'PM Narendra Modi' during the Lok Sabha Elections 2019, saying any such film that subserves the purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in the electronic media.

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. However, the film could not be released on April 11 as well after the Election Commission banned it till the time elections are over.