Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday cleared the decks for an unhindered release of Kangana Ranaut-starrer Manikarnika, a film based on the life of the queen of Jhansi. The HC has, however, asked the filmmakers to file an affidavit in response to the contentions raised by a descendent of the Jhansi queen, who has sought a stay on the movie’s release, scheduled on January 25.
A division bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Nitin Jamdar was seized with a petition by advocate Vivek Tambe, who claims to be the fifth generation offspring of the queen. He has accused the filmmakers of fabricating historical records and hurting the sentiments of Hindu women. During the hearing, Tambe argued the filmmakers are trying to create a ‘fraudulent depiction’ of the queen of Jhansi, which is contrary to historical facts.
“They have fabricated the historical and government records regarding her birth, marriage, death and about her life in the film, hurting the sentiments of Hindu women, in imaginary and fashionable manner. They will collect money from public at large at the cost of government records and violating fundamental rights as envisaged in the Constitution of India,” Tambe argued.
Countering the submissions, advocate Advait Sethna, appearing for the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) apprised the judges of the fact the film was certified only after the censor board’s examining committee scrutinised the minutest details. “A disclaimer has been included in the film stating certain elements have been dramatised and fictionalised and it does not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments,” Sethna submitted.
Having heard the submissions, CJ Patil adjourned the matter for two weeks with a direction to the producers to file their affidavit in response to the petition. “We, however, do not want to pass any interim order against the release of the film,” CJ Patil said.