'Deshdrohi' fails to hit Maharashtra theatres again

The controversial film "Deshdrohi" could not be released in Maharashtra today despite Supreme Court rejecting the plea of the state government that screening of the movie would lead to law and order problem.

The controversial film "Deshdrohi" could not be released in Maharashtra on Friday despite Supreme Court rejecting the plea of the state government that screening of the movie would lead to law and order problem.

HT Image

The film, scheduled to be screened in nearly 70 theatres across the state, could not be released as police "refused" to provide protection to theatre owners who have been allegedly receiving threats from Raj Thackery's Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS).

Kamaal Rashid Khan, producer of "Deshdrohi", which is based on the 'hate campaign against the north Indians', said "theatres have cancelled release of the film after a threat from MNS".

Nearly 70 theatres in Mumbai, Thane, Nasik and Pune, were awaiting the decision of the apex court for release of the film today after the state government had filed a petition seeking a ban on the film.

Khan alleged that the screening of the film was cancelled after Mumbai police denied to provide any protection to the theatre owners.

"Deshdrohi" could not be released in Maharashtra on November 12, 2008 during the countrywide premiere of the film after the state government put a ban on it citing law and order problems.