Just three days before its scheduled release on May 3, the Election CommisÂsion ordered the producers of Bengali film Baghini to halt all promotional activities and stay its release till the general elecÂtions get over on 19th May. The producers submitted a compliance letter to the EC alongwith a note stating that the film was not a biopic of Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The Commission said, it dramatises her life and could, therefore, influence voters in the elections.
Leaders of the opposition parties had approached the EC to ban the film. The EC, citing the model code of conduct, on 30th April stayed the film’s release and ordered its promotion to be stopped. It also condemned the producer for purporÂted violation of the code of conduct.