Scheduled to stream on 30th January, “Why I killed Gandhi” attracts controversy. As per the petitioner, the film would tarnish the image of Gandhi.
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court by Mr Sikander Behl asking for a ban on the film “Why I Killed Gandhi”. The film is set to release on Over The Top (OTT) platform “Limelight” on 30th January, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
What is the issue?
Mr Behl filed the petition in SC through Advocate Anuj Bhandari. The petitioner seeks a ban on film streaming because he believes that if the film is streamed, it will tarnish the image of Mahatma Gandhi.
He also stated that streaming the movie would cause unrest in the nation and lead to hatred and disharmony against the “Father of the Nation”. According to the petitioner, the film “Why I killed Gandhi” aims at “creating communal disharmony, spreading hatred and disturbing peace”.
Mr Behl also argues that the movie’s trailer, which has a duration of 2 minutes 20 seconds, illustrates that Gandhi Ji is to be blamed for the partition on 15th August 1947.
Mr Behl stated the trailer depicts that the atrocities caused against Hindus and Muslims were because of Gandhi. Thus, the movie attempts to showcase that the killing of Mahatma Gandhi was justified.
The movie didn’t get clearance at the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and aims to be directly released on the OTT platform, Limelight on the scheduled date.
Others stand on the film
Congress president in Maharashtra, Nana Patole, requested Maharashtra’s CM Uddhav Thackeray to consider banning the film.
The entire Congress party is against the release of the movie as their base is created upon the doctrines of Mahatma Gandhi, and since the issue is quite sensitive, the film comes as a threat to the party.
The state Congress president argued that portraying Gandhi’s assassinator as a hero is not acceptable, and thus, such a movie shouldn’t be streamed. He said that Gandhi is a celebrated leader of our nation and is known worldwide for his beliefs and ideology.
All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a ban on the movie. The association stated that the film glorifies Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassinator.
The noted that Gandhi is admired worldwide, and his ideologies symbolise love and sacrifice for the citizens across India. On the other hand, Sharad Pawar has raised support for the film and appreciated Amol Kolhe’s decision to act as Gandhi’s assassinator stating that it is the actor’s artistic choice.
Standing for Amol Kolhe, Mr Pawar said that agreeing to play Godse’s role doesn’t justify praising Godse’s views or beliefs.
About the movie
“Why I killed Gandhi” is directed by Ashok Tyagi and produced by Kalyani Singh. Mann Singh is one of the presenters of the film. The film is strategically scheduled to release on 30th January, as Gandhi was assassinated on that same day in 1948.
The movie is based on the book “Why I killed Gandhi”, authored by Nathuram Godse. The book is about why Godse decided to kill Gandhi and its reasons. According to the report, the film’s duration is 45 minutes as it shows all the scenes till Godse’s hanging.
The movie is a documentary and was produced on a low budget. If the reports are to be believed, then the movie’s production finished in 2017 itself, however owing to certain conditions, the film wasn’t released till now.
Published By – Vanshu Mehra
Edited By – Mahi Gupta
