Man seeks stay on release of 'The Bengal Files', claims his grandfather shown in poor light
Kolkata (PTI): A petition was moved on Thursday before the Calcutta High Court by the grandson of Gopal Chandra Mukherjee seeking a stay on the release of Vivek Agnihotri's film 'The Bengal Files', claiming that the protagonist has been depicted in a poor light in the movie.
The court, however, did not issue any stay on the release of the film, which will hit the theatres on Friday.
The movie is based on the communal riots of August 1946 in Kolkata, known as the ‘Great Calcutta Killings’.
Taking up the petition, Justice Amrita Sinha said that she would hear the arguments of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which vets contents of a film, and the Union of India before passing any order and passed over hearing of the matter till then.
Petitioner Santanu Mukherjee's lawyer claimed in the petition that his grandfather Gopal Chandra Mukherjee has been depicted in a defamatory manner in the movie.
Producing a photograph, the lawyer claimed that the character had been termed 'Patha', a Bengali connotation for goat, in the movie.
Mukherjee ran a goat meat shop in the 1940s at Bowbazar area in central Kolkata.
The petitioner submitted that his grandfather was an eminent freedom fighter on whom Vivek Agnihotri made the film 'The Bengal Files'.
Alleging that the filmmaker has depicted him as being involved in the events of August 16, 1946, he claimed that this is not true.
Justice Sinha asked the petitioner's lawyer whether he is sure that the film is based on his grandfather, to which he answered in the affirmative.
He stated before the court that notice has been served on the parties in the matter by post and email.
The court said that the film may also be fictional and an order can be passed only after hearing all the parties.
The West Bengal government's lawyer stated before the court that it has initiated proceedings on the basis of an FIR lodged at a police station in this regard.
Justice Sinha questioned why the petitioner had come before the court on the eve of the film's scheduled release on Friday.
Maintaining that the court cannot pass an order without hearing the CBFC and the Government of India, Justice Sinha asked the petitioner's lawyer to ensure their presence for the hearing.
Two days ago, director Vivek Agnihotri appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure the smooth release of the film, alleging that ruling Trinamool Congress workers were threatening theatre owners against screening it.
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
