The Hindu : National : Paswan questions ban on film

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National

Paswan questions ban on film

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

A poster of the controversial Hindi film ‘Deshdrohi,’ in Mumbai. The Maharashtra government on Wednesday banned this low budget film made by Bhojpuri film-maker Kamal Khan, who also plays the lead role. It portrays the divide between Maharashtrians and north Indian migrants in Mumbai.

NEW DELHI: With ‘Deshdrohi,’ a film based on north Indians migrating to Mumbai creating a controversy in Maharashtra, Lok Janshakti Party leader and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Thursday questioned the banning of the film in the State despite getting Censor Board clearance.

“What is the harm in screening the film? It has got clearance from the Censor Board. No other State has banned it,” he said at a press conference here.

Mr. Paswan said he had seen some promotions on television channels and found nothing provocative in them.

The Maharashtra government has imposed a two-month ban on the film fearing backlash from the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and others if it was allowed to be released in the present format.

The Maharashtra police had asked the film’s writer, producer and actor Kamaal Khan for a separate screening before the film’s release.

The MNS has welcomed the ban on the film saying the movie had the potential for to create a law and order problem.

– PTI

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