Satish Katyal, producer of the Punjabi film Kaum de Heere, has said that if did not get permission to release his film in the next few days, he will knock on the doors of the court.
The film is based on the assassination of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and depicts the lives of her three assassins, Beant Singh, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh.
Reacting to the stalling of the film’s release by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Katyal said the decision appeared to have been taken under political pressure.
He said that since the certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification had only been withdrawn and the film not banned, he would first re-apply to the Board, and approach the courts if his request was turned down.
Meanwhile, radical Sikh organisation, the Dal Khalsa, described the government’s decision as the “first onslaught of the Modi government on Sikh sentiments.” In a statement here, the group urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to withdraw the ban because the film was based on historical facts which could not be changed.
Dismissing rumours that the film could disturb communal harmony in Punjab, a spokesman said the bonds of Punjabis were not so fragile that a mere film could trigger unrest in the State.
