Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla starrer Gulaab Gang will hit theatres on Friday across the country as scheduled as the Delhi High Court vacated the stay on Thursday granted on its release by a single judge bench on the ground that the movie depicts an activist and her Gulabi Gang in poor light.
“The film can only be shown after giving a clear disclaimer that has nothing to do with the life of Sampat Pal (respondent) and her organisation Gulabi Gang,” a division bench of acting Chief Justice BD Ahmed and Justice Siddharth Mridul said. The film is scheduled for nationwide release on Friday and it had landed in trouble after a single judge bench on Wednesday stayed its release by nearly nine weeks after taking note of defamation law suit filed by Sampat Pal, an Uttar Pradesh-based activist.
Pal, who runs Gulabi Gang comprising women vigilantes wearing pink saris, said she and her members help harassed women and girls by resorting to peaceful means and the promos of the film show that the lead actor, playing her character, was shown as an anti-social element, wielding swords and sickles, contrary to her real life persona. The larger bench agreed in the forenoon on Thursday to the plea of producer Sahara One Media and Entertainment ltd against the interim order of single judge bench.
“When did you come to know that the film is based on your lifeIJ Why you came so lateIJ” the bench said. Citing case records, the counsel for Pal said there was no delay on her part and she has moved the court after the producers refused to reply to the legal notice. Senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, appearing for the producer, said, “The law is well settled that the pre-publication injunction cannot be granted in such cases.” Countering the plea, Pal cited the earlier HC judgement and said the release of Bandit Queen was first stayed and was allowed to be screened only after some objectionable portions were removed. Pal in her plea has claimed her permission was not sought prior to making of the film and had alleged it contains defamatory content which would adversely affect her reputation.