As Supreme Court still upholds the ban on PM Narendra Modi biopic, we look back at a similar scenario when Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan had contested for elections in 1984. Back then, Big B won for Congress from Allahabad (now Prayagarh), which is his hometown.
When Bachchan started campaigning, the craze among his followers led to an increasing crowd. During this time, Election Commission played an unbiased role and ordered Doordarshan that “Amitabh Bachchan’s films should not be broadcast during the Election Code of Conduct”. Despite the ban, Bachchan won the elections back then defeating Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna.
As for Modi biopic, the apex court has said that the film won’t release before May 19, declining to lift the stay. According to PTI, The SC has refused to interfere with the Election Commission’s order banning the release of the biopic. But producers of the film have told the court that EC’s order is contrary to clearance given by the Central Board of Film Certification.
In its report to the SC, the EC has described the biopic as a “hagiography” that may disturb the level-playing field if it is released during elections.
PM Modi biopic features Vivek Oberoi in the titular role and is directed by Omung Kumar.
