In the matter of the Centre’s month-long certification suspension of Marathi film Khalid Ka Shivaji, the Bombay high court said that the representation of the film’s director should be heard before any further extension of the suspension is sought.
Supporting the order of suspension notified on August 20 by the I & B ministry, state advocate general Birendra Saraf submitted before a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale that the film contained various historical inaccuracies about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The I & B ministry’s order stated that the film shall be suspended for a month or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Director Raj Pritam More challenged the order. Additional solicitor general Anil C. Singh said that the petitioner was heard before the decision of suspension was made, but he will be granted another hearing before any further suspension is considered.
