“I Killed Bapu” Film Produced To Defame Mahatma Gandhi, Claims Petitioner, Bombay High Appoints Panel To Preview

Bombay High Court has appointed a three-member panel to preview the film “I Killed Bapu” to check for objectionable material or any other material with the potential of seriously threatening societal disharmony.

The film was recently released on an OTT platform.

A bench of Justices Sunil Shukre and Firdosh Pooniwalla appointed a committee comprising Chief Justices (Retd) Amjad Sayed, Justice Abhay Thipsay and veteran actor/director Amol Palekar to review the film and submit their report.

“We request the panel to take a preview of the film “ I Killed Bapu” at the place suggested by them and consider whether the film has any such objectionable material or has any potential of seriously threatening societal disharmony and submit its report accordingly to this court, within a period of two weeks of the preview taken by panel, which report shall be without prejudice to the rights and contentions of both sides,” the order stated.

The order was passed on a petition by Kurla resident and businessman Mohamed Ansari. He said the film by Sarla Saraogi, wife of Advocate Ashok Saraogi is produced only to “create disharmony between two religions and is also an insult to the Father of the National Mahatma Gandhi by holding him responsible for the partition of India.”

Ansari has urged the court to direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to withdraw the censor certificate issued to the film. And also, direct respondents not to rebroadcast the film.

“Before this matter can be taken up, the suggestion given by learned counsel for the petitioner to appoint panel of eminent viewers for viewing the movie and coming up with opinion in the matter can also be considered,” the order dated October 10 read.

The court then asked for suggestions to constitute a panel to view the film. Accordingly, two retired judges as a veteran actor and director were appointed. The committee has been asked to view the movie and submit a report within two weeks.

The court has further directed the petitioner to bear the cost of the preview.

In his plea, argued through Advocate Amin Solkar the petitioner claimed the film was “produced for the purpose of defaming and damaging the reputation of Father of Nation Shri Mahatma Gandhi.”

Moreover, after a viewing of the trailer, “it is also sought to be suggested that the killer of the Father of Nation Shri. Mahatma Gandhi is namely Mr. Nathuram Godse is sought to be made a hero and, his entire acts are sought to be justified,” the plea states.

It adds that the film depicts the partition and atrocities caused by the Muslims on Hindus in Pakistan and on the Muslims by Hindus in India, further showing Gandhi as a deaf -mute spectator. And various other insulting tone and words have been used, it says.

The matter will now be taken up on November 1, 2023.

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