Court asks Maharashtra to lift ban on 'Deshdrohi'

Mumbai, Jan 9 (IANS) The Bombay High Court Friday pulled up the Maharashtra government for keeping the decision on the release of the Bhojpuri film 'Deshdrohi' pending for nearly three months.

The court directed the state government to lift the ban imposed on the film in November last year for two months and clear the way for its release in Maharashtra immediately.

The Maharashtra government had banned the screening of 'Deshdrohi' in the state on the recommendation of the Mumbai Police.

The Mumbai Police feared that the film's release could pose a law and order problem in view of the anti-north Indians agitation launched at the time by the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Bhojpuri actor Kamaal Khan, who plays the protagonist in the film, has also produced the film which deals with injustice and discrimination against north Indians in Mumbai.

'The high court's order is a vindication of my stand that a film like 'Deshdrohi', which depicts the reality without casting aspersion against anybody, should never have been banned in Maharashtra. It was a pure coincidence that at the time the film was due to be released Nov 14, the MNS' stir against north Indians happened to be at its peak,' Khan told the media after the high court's order.

He said he would try to get the film released as soon as possible in Maharashtra.

Directed by Jagdish Sharma, the film also features Gracy Singh, Kim Sharma, Aman Verma, Ranjit, Kader Khan, Raza Murad, Avtaar Gill and Manoj Tiwari.