A court in Kerala on Tuesday restrained the release of Hindi film Rang Rasiya , claimed to be based on the life of renowned painter Raja Ravi Varma, on a complaint by his granddaughter that the movie was a stain on the reputation of the artist and his family.
The relief from the court follows a recent memorandum from the painter’s granddaughter Indira Devi Kunjamma to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his help.
The memorandum, dated October 13, had accused the film-makers of depicting a false image of the artist and termed the film a ‘direct assault’ on Indian culture and womanhood.
The film is directed by Ketan Mehta and produced by Deepa Sahi and Aanand Mehendroo.
Though the movie is a total figment of imagination of Mr. Mehta, its trailers ‘loudly claim’ that it is ‘true story of the late Raja Ravi Varma,’ Ms. Kunjamma wrote to the Prime Minister.
For ‘commercial gains’“It further very mischievously pictures Raja Ravi Varma as a colourful playboy (Rangrasiya), who purportedly portrayed faces of gods and goddesses using ‘models’ viz ‘women of lesser morality.’ This ridiculous lie is being propagated for commercial considerations,” the memorandum had said.
Ms. Kunjamma’s application before the Munsif Court at Mavelikara in Alappuzha district voices the same anguish.
The family also sought the film-makers to issue a disclaimer that the film is in no way connected to the painter and his family.
