New Delhi: On the directions of the Supreme Court issued on Monday, the Election Commission officials yesterday watched the movie ‘PM Narendra Modi,’ which has been directed by Omung Kumar.
The officials were drawn from the commission’s model code and legal divisions, said media reports. The officials had discussions on various aspects of the movie and the screening took long to complete.
It has been reported that the EC will now take a considered view and decide whether the ban should continue and submit its decision to the Supreme Court by 19 April in a sealed cover.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna directed the EC to submit a report and that the apex court will hear the matter on 22 April.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi who appeared on behalf of the film producers said the committee did not watch the entire movie and had taken the decision after watching just the promo.
The EC had on 10 April stalled the release of the film until the Lok Sabha polls end, saying any such film that subserves the purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in electronic media.
Acting on the complaints of political parties, including the Congress, the poll panel had asserted that any biopic material with the potential to disturb the level-playing field should not be displayed in areas where the model code of conduct was in force.
The biopic, which tells the story of Modi’s rise to power from his humble beginnings, stars Vivek Oberoi in the lead character.