High court refuses stay on release of film 'Shanghai'

High court refuses stay on release of film 'Shanghai'
Thursday, June 07, 2012 14:18 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
The Delhi High Court Wednesday dismissed a plea seeking stay on the June 8 release of Bollywood film "Shanghai", saying there was nothing insulting in its song "Bharat Mata ki jai" and it merely depicted "the existing state of affairs" in India.

A division bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rajiv Shakdher said: "We do not find anything objectionable in the said song. In a democracy, every person has a right to voice his views and opinions... the same right to speech and expression cannot be curtailed except under some circumstances.

"The author of the song has merely sought to portray the existing state of affairs in India, once considered a golden bird... is now infested with diseases like dengue and malaria. The petition is dismissed, " the bench opined.

Tejinder Pal Singh Bagga, president of Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an interim stay on release of "Shanghai" until its song "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" was deleted.

Counsel Vikas Padora, appearing for Bagga, alleged that the song used insulting and outraging words, and that it "hurt many people who are patriotic in nature".

Seeking a complete ban on the song from the political thriller, starring Emraan Hashmi, Abhay Deol and Kalki Koechlin, the petitioner asked the government and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take steps to ban the sale of audio CDs of the film.

Padora contended that the term 'Bharat Mata' has been presented in the most "humiliating, outrageous and insulting manner" in the song and it showed the writer has no "love and respect" for India and the term 'Bharat Mata'.

The song showed that its writer had no respect for India, he argued, adding that the song depicted India as the land of the homeless, full of misery and despair.

Disagreeing with the contentions of petitioner, the Justice Shakdher said: "Similar kind of accusations were being made against great film maker Satyajit Ray that he used to sell the darker side of India abroad, " adding that "you cannot restrict artistic freedom".

The petitioner sought a "complete ban on playing/broadcasting of the song on TV channels, radio, internet portals or any other platform".

"The song has been written with clear intentions to outrage national honour and pride, " the petition said. The film is directed by Dibakar Banerjee.
Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT