PM Narendra Modi's biopic postponed till further notice, says producer Sandip Ssingh

It seems trouble for Vivek Oberoi starrer PM Narendra Modi’s biopic will not settle anytime soon. The release of the film has been postponed till further notice, its producer Sandip Ssingh said on Thursday. "This is to confirm, our film 'PM Narendra Modi' is not releasing on 5th April. Will update soon," Ssingh posted on Twitter.

This is to confirm, our film 'PM Narendra Modi' is not releasing on 5th April. Will update soon.

— Sandip Ssingh (@sandip_Ssingh) April 4, 2019

In an interview with ANI, director Omung Kumar also confirmed that the film will not release on April 5, 2019. ''Suspense! The film isn't releasing tomorrow, not on 5 April. But it'll be done soon, you'll get to know. We don't want to tell you the date now. Opposition had come forward, tried things. It's late but we know what date to release it on,'' he said. 

Omung Kumar, 'PM Narendra Modi' director: Suspense! The film isn't releasing tomorrow, not on 5 April. But it'll be done soon, you'll get to know. We don't want to tell you the date now. Opposition had come forward, tried things. It's late but we know what date to release it on. pic.twitter.com/pMHVCp0o8g

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2019

The film was supposed to release on April 5, 2019. The lawyer of the makers told indianexpress.com that the release has been delayed because they did not get the clearance from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The film has been under the scanner for allegedly violating the model code of conduct in view of the Lok Sabha elections. The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections begins on April 11. The opposition raised objections to the release of the film on April 5 as it was just a week before the elections.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, alleged the film will give undue advantage to the BJP in electioneering and its release should be deferred till the elections are over. Recently, a petition was filed in the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the release of the film. However, the Bombay HC had disposed off the plea and said that the Election Commission of India will deal with this issue. 

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EC had further sent a letter to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in which it clarified that the Censor Board has the last word on such matters.

In an interview with India Today, Vivek Oberoi had said that it is not a propaganda film and its release would not affect the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. ''It is just a coincidence that the film is releasing ahead of the election. It is not a propaganda film. I am an individual who has a credible body of work over the last 18 years, more than 45 films and more than 26-27 awards. So I stand my ground there. I don't need to make him appear as a hero. He is a hero to billions of people across the world,'' he had said.

Also starring Boman Irani, Manoj Joshi, Zarina Wahab and Prashant Narayanan, the film is produced by Sandip Ssingh and Suresh Oberoi.

(With inputs from PTI)