Ram Gopal Varma and CBFC at loggerheads over the release of Lakshmi NTR

Ram Gopal Varma is on loggerheads with CBFC as it denied viewing his film Lakshmi NTR for certification till the 1st phase of polls on April 11th as the movie attracts the provisions of model code of conduct for elections.

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who awaits the release of his upcoming Telugu political thriller Lakshmi NTR, on Sunday, revealed that Central Board of Film Certification denied viewing his film for certification till the 1st phase of polls on April 11th as the movie attracts the provisions of model code of conduct for elections.

Lakshmi NTR is set to release on March 22.

Varma’s film, scheduled for release on March 22, follows the events in the life of former Andhra Pradesh CM Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) after the entry of Lakshmi Parvathy in his life.

Varma took to Twitter to share a long post on how CBFC denied his right to get his film certified. “To start with the processing and certification of a film by the CBFC is governed by the Cinematography Act, 1952 wherein section 4 provides that the CBFC, on receipt of an application for certification, shall after examining or having the film examined shall issue certificate for public exhibition of the film with any restrictions or refuse to sanction the film for public exhibition as per section 5A of the Act,” Varma tweeted.

“The CBFC has no authority or power to postpone processing of the film on the ground of model code for conduct even before viewing the film. This amounts to blatant pre-censorship, which is in violation of fundamental right of Freedom of Expression under Article 19 of the Constitution of India,” he added.

He also pointed out on what grounds a film can be denied certification.

“The provisions of Section 5B of the Act lays down the principles for not certifying a film for public exhibition like the film or any part of it is against the interests [the sovereignty and integrity of India], the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence or if the film is contrary to the guidelines issued by the central government,” he said.

Varma clarified Lakshmi NTR does not fall in any of the above prohibited guidelines and admittedly the CBFC has not even processed or viewed the film to come to such conclusion. Varma added that his film has no nexus with any political party.

On Monday, Varma was supposed to call a press meet to address this issue. However, he called it off and revealed that there was a misunderstanding between his office and CBFC.

P Vijay Kumar plays the veteran actor-politician while Yagna Shetty plays Lakshmi Parvathy in the film. It has been jointly directed by Ram Gopal Varma and Agasthya Manju.

In September 2017, Varma had shared the first poster of the film, which marked the announcement of the project.

Follow @htshowbiz for more