Haji Mastan's son seeks stay on film's release

Suleman Mirza, the adopted son of alleged gangster Haji Mastan Mirza, moved the civil court on Monday seeking a stay on the release of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai.

Suleman Mirza, the adopted son of alleged gangster Haji Mastan Mirza, moved the civil court on Monday seeking a stay on the release of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai.

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The film, reportedly based on the lives of Mastan and fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, is scheduled for release on July 30.

Suleman has taken a strong opposition to the fact that his adoptive father has been portrayed as a don in the film.

He has contended that the producers cannot be permitted to defame the reputation of any person under the garb of freedom of speech and expression. "Defendants claim the film is based on the life of late Mastan along with that of anti-social elements such as Dawood (Ibrahim)," said the suit. "Haji Mastan was acting as a good father for poor people and many families had in fact benefited from his work."

Suleman also contended that though there were criminal cases registered against Mastan, there was no order convicting him. The reputation of his late father therefore, could not be allowed to be defamed by portraying him as a gangster.

Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai is directed by Milan Luthria and has Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai and Kangana Ranaut playing key roles.