A lower court here has directed the regional office of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) not to issue censor certificate to an under-production Odia film Smruti Tume, which is reportedly being made on the life of legendary music director, litterateur and singer Akshaya Mohanty.
Taking up a lawsuit filed by the late singer’s wife Prabina Mohanty, the Cuttack Civil Judge (Senior Division) gave the interim relief to the plaintiff. “The CBFC is directed not to issue censer certificate to the film until further order,” the court said asking the respondents of the lawsuit to show cause by January 4 next.
Stating that the filmmakers had not taken permission from the family before making the film, Prabina had alleged that the film is purportedly being made casting aspersions on the life of her late husband. Seeking a damage of Rs 10 lakh, the petitioner had urged the court to restrain the film makers from going ahead with the project by way of a permanent injunction.
Notably, the widow wife of the singer had also slapped a legal notice on film director Sushant Mani last year invoking the provisions of law of Intellectual Property as the film was made on the basis of Mohanty’s two books Aryadasra Atmalipi and Aryadasra Sesalipi. Suspecting that the filmmakers would go ahead with their project despite pendency of the lawsuit, Prabina once again approached the court through her counsel Avijit Pal seeking an interim protection stating that if the film is released, her suit would be frustrated and the injury would be irreparable.
Observing that the copyright of the petitioner and the reputation of the renowned singer are the subject of adjudication and the pending lawsuit cannot be made in-fructuous, the Court allowed the plea of Prabina and granted her the interim protection.