The trailer of upcoming movie ‘Paharganj’ which has hit the mobile screens of around 1.16 lakh views and  more than10,000 likes across the nation, is getting negative impression from the people of Paharganj on which the movie is based on. The agitating people of Paharganj also claimed that the poster of the movie is depicting Paharganj as ‘The Little Amsterdam of India’.

 As soon the official trailer of the movie was released on the social media platforms, scores of people, Resident Welfare Association (RWAs) and the members of traders association and hotel unions started protesting against the movie teaser saying that the upcoming movie is defaming the name and fame of the place’s popularity by depicting drug dealings, murder, prostitution and other illegal activities.

“We saw the trailer and clippings of the movie which is clearly defaming and is depicting the Paharganj area as little Amsterdam of India. People and tourist from across the world come to Paharganj for shopping and stay in the hotels situated here. Besides, shopping and trading, the place is also a resident welfare association, such depiction and a film with title of this place’s name will scare the people from coming here and also will give bad name to the people living here. Thus, change the name and show us before it get release,” said Arun Gupta, President of Paharganj Welfare Association.

The poster of the movie which will soon release on April 12 is depicting the title of the Movie ‘Paharganj’ with second line as ‘The little Amsterdam of India’. “The people do not have any problem with the movie; our demand is to rename the name of the film. Otherwise our protest will continue and we will protest against the release of the movie and if needed will also move to court,” said Devraj Bhaveja, General Secretary of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

The protesting people said that all the eight traders association and RWA’s will conduct a big protest against the movie on Monday. The Vice President of CAIT Ramesh Kapoor, said, “The upcoming movie will give a bad impact on business and reduce the tourist attraction. Moreover, the Paharganj is 75 percent residential area and 25 percent commercial. So, run the movie with any other title and do not spoil the image of Paharganj as this is a cultural hub and residential area too.”

While the producer of the ‘Paharganj’ movie, Prakash Bhagat told The Pioneer, “The makers intend to meet the members of RWA and Traders association and will brief them about the film. The misconception they have drawn by watching the teaser and the other videos is not true. The entire film is fiction and is not hurting the sentiments of any community or people living in the area in a bad light.”

Bhagat further added that the production is amused to receive the RWA’s notice and will send reply to them.

The movie was shot on the streets of Paharganj and people welcomed our crew. Also, the RWA without watching the movie cannot malign the film and call it an offending movie. The story is mostly about a Spanish woman and other characters. Further, we will meet the RWA members and will clear their misinterpretations about the film.