Mahatma in storm of controversies

A case has been lodged against the producer of the Telugu movie Mahatma for not displaying the censor rating given by the Censor Board on the movie’s posters and promotions.The movie is directed by Krishna Vamsi and features actor Srikanth.On Thursday, Mr Hanumantha Rao, vice-president of an NGO, filed a case under cinematography Act 1952 at the Moghalpura Police station for not displaying the U/A rating given by the board on the movie’s posters and hoardings.


“Movies released recently don’t display the Censor Board’s rating as it is likely to discourage parents from taking their children to the movie. Not displaying the rating is a cognisable and non-bailable offence,” Mr Hanumantha Rao said.
Meanwhile, the Bajrang Dal staged a dharna in front of the Mahatma movie office at Filmnagar, demanding the director to delete a scene in the movie where the hero beats up Hindu activists for moral policing a couple at a park. Bajrang Dal issued a 24-hour deadline to the director to delete the scene as “ it hurts the sentiments of the Hindu community”.

Earlier, the film’s producer, Mr C.R. Manohar, had to deposit Rs 50,000 in the High Court this week after a writer, A. Lakshman, filed a case, claiming the song from his album, Neelampuri Gajulu, was used in the movie. The movie’s release was also delayed as the Censor Board had asked the director to delete the name of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from the song, Indiramma Inti Peru Kadhu ra Gandhi.

The producer, Mr C.R. Manohar, said the scenes in the movie were not intended to hurt any community. He said he will hold talks with the people who have objections to scenes in the movie.

“Through the scene where the hero beats up activists who were moral policing a couple at a park, we are giving a message to youngsters to be in their limits,” he said. Mr Manohar also said he had bought the rights to the song in question by paying the writer a huge remuneration.