Madras HC declines to suspend screening of Priyanka Chopra's 'Baywatch'

The Madras High Court today declined to suspend the screening of Priyanka Chopra-starrer "Baywatch" as sought in a PIL which contended that the producers did not disclose that it was granted "A" certificate by the censor board.

The court, however, directed Tamil Nadu Police to ensure that only adults are permitted to view it in theatres.

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, before which the PIL from Vaikunth Kasturirangan came up, in its order said, "there are no cogent materials on the basis of which this court can definitely arrive at the conclusion that persons who are not adults are being allowed entry to the screening of the film."

Further, they said, "a blanket order suspending the screening of the film not only in this State, but all over India, as prayed for in the writ petition, prima facie appears to us to be motivated. We are not inclined to pass a blanket order suspending the screening of the film, when on the face of the averments in the writ petition; the film has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)."

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"We direct the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, and Tamil Nadu DGP, to ensure that persons who are not adults are not permitted entry to the screening of the film, if as contended by the petitioner the film has in fact been cleared with "A" certificate,' the bench said.

The petitioner prayed for a direction from the court to immediately suspend all forms of screening of the film, which released across India today. The petitioner further submitted that the producers had misled the public by suppressing the fact that it is certified as "A" rating by CBFC.

It was alleged by the petitioner that advertisements released in newspapers yesterday had not indicated that the film was certified as "A".