Even as a section of political parties and students have intensified their opposition to the screening of the John Abraham-starrer ‘Madras Café’ from August 23, the Madras HC (Madurai Bench) on Wednesday asked the Director General of Police and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to respond to a PIL seeking a ban on the Hindi film.
An advocate had moved the court seeking a ban on the film’s release alleging that its contents belittled the liberation struggle of the ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka as well as political and militant groups, which were supporting the movement for a separate Tamil Eelam.
When the petition came up for hearing before a division bench, comprising Justices S Rajeswaran and T Mathivanan, senior counsel Rajagopalan appeared on behalf of the film’s producer and contended that the script was fictional and does not promote communal hatred between Tamils and other citizens. Citing past SC judgments, he argued that the film was of entertainment genre and the contention that it could threaten law and order was purely imaginary and based on perception.
Additional Advocate General Chellapandian also denied the allegations made by the petitioner.
The petitioner’s counsel Peter Ramesh Kumar prayed the court to impose a ban on the release of the Tamil version of the film. But the producer’s counsel submitted a letter given by the CBFC stating that the Tamil version film is not yet certified.
Recording the submissions, the judges said there was no need for passing any interim directions on the matter at this point of time. The court then directed the DGP and the CBFC to file a detailed counter affidavit and adjourned the case to September 3.