Aastha Thakur
Published on: 14 October 2022 at 18:56 IST
Recently, a plea has been filed in the apex court against the next upcoming Bollywood movie, “Thank God“.
The plea filed by Shri Chitragupta Welfare Trust now asks the Court to give directions that the trailers and posters of the said movie must be removed from Youtube and other social media platforms. The petitioner further asks the court to prohibit the theatrical release of the said movie or on the over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
The plea was filed through Advocate Lokesh Kumar Choudhary, who claims that the movie’s release will violate Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution along with Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act.
Further, it has been stated that the petition was filed against the defamatory expressions, acts, statements, actions, dialogues and depiction of the character of God Chitragupta, played by Bollywood actor, Ajay Devgan, Respondent No. 4 which can be seen from the release of the trailer of the Bollywood movie “Thank God”.
Furthermore, the trailer of the movie and the released posters of the said movie are just propagating wrong, insulting and defamatory messages against God Chitragupta before the citizens of the country and the world as well.
The petition also added that, “The religious sentiments of the Petitioner, including other Kayastha people in the country is being harmed/injured and fundamental right is infringed and violated by the Respondents by making and releasing the said movie“
The petitioner also submitted in his plea that the respondent has no right or authority to portray God Chitragupta in such an insulting way, who is actually worshipped by people of India and the world who belong to the Kayastha Community.
The petitioner submits that, “The release of the said movie would result in causing chaos and disturbance of peace and harmony in the country upon agitation/procession by the Kayasth Community across the country”
The petitioner finally prays before the Court to issue a writ in the nature of mandamus and prohibitorrry
The Centre and the CBFC have therefore requested that the Court issue a writ in the nature of mandamus and prohibitory against them, ordering them to immediately remove the movie’s trailer and posters from YouTube and other electronic platforms and further not to release the film in theatres or cinema halls across the nation or on the OTT platform.
The 25th of October has been set aside for the film’s debut.