It all amounts to blackmail, says HC

The Madras High Court on Thursday said that no demand can be made for censoring a certified film on the ground that it hurt someone’s religious or communal sentiments. Also, demanding removal of a dialogue or scene or title from such a film would be tantamount to blackmail.

Justice V.Ramasubramanian made the observation while directing the police to provide protection to LYCA Production, producer of Vijay-starrer Kaththi , to have its name exhibited in the film and in the publicity material.

The judge made it clear that the police should not permit such blackmail to succeed. If such a situation was allowed, it would automatically lead to extortion and surrender of the power of governance and the rule of law to a few intolerant people.

The production company, represented by its Director, Neelakanth, said a few organisations and political parties issued threats that they would not permit screening of the CBFC-certified film and would boycott it on the ground that the company was managed by persons who were close to Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa.

However, the producer made arrangements for releasing the film. Two cinema houses which screened the movie were attacked. Fearing consequences, the producer gave a letter to one Velmurugan of Thamizhar Vazhvurimai Katchi and its associates undertaking to remove the company’s name from the prints and advertisements. Thereafter there were no protests.

Later, the producer gave a representation dated November 7 to the Home Secretary and the DGP, seeking adequate protection to display its name in the film and advertisements. As there was no response, it moved the High Court.

Mr.Justice Ramasubramanian said the letter of undertaking given by the producer could not be relied upon by the police. The police could not grant approval to such letters as it would amount to creating a `Super-Censor Board.’ The police’s reliance on the letter was quite unfortunate.