Controversial Bollywood Movie Ram-Leela, starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone would be released on November 15 despite significant opposition and several litigation filed in various courts of the country.
A Statement by Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, says that the movie titled Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela has been censored by the Central Board of the Film Certification under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and granted UA Certificate on 01.11.2013. He said that the Film is slated for release throughout the World including India on 15th November 2013.
The Statement further says, “It appears that some misinformation is being carried out regarding the said Film which we would like to clarify and state that the said Film is inspired and based on work of William Shakespeare “Romeo and Juliet’. The said Film is neither related to “Ramleela†folklore/traditional performance associated with Lord Ram nor related to “Rasleela†associated with Lord Krishna. Ram the character in the said Film does not depict or resemble LORD SHRI RAM in any manner”.
“The said Film neither intends nor attempts to insult, wound or outrage the religion, religious feelings or religious beliefs of any class of citizens of India”
“We trust that this allays, clarifies and sets at rest all apprehensions, doubts and misgivings regarding the said Film”.
Meanwhile, a Local Court in Mumbai has restrained the Producers from using the word Ram Leela for the movie.
According to sources, Additional District Judge A S Jayachandra on Tuesday heard arguments on behalf of the petitioners and issued an “ex-parte ad-interim stay” against the using the name Ram-Leela.
The Court was hearing a petition which claimed that the term Ram Leela has been historically associated with Hindu Beliefs about Lord Rama, but the movie was not related to his life by any chance. The Petition claimed that producers were “deliberately and intentionally” using the term to attain commercial success.
“The judge has allowed the interim application and the producers are restrained from using title name Ram-Leela scheduled to be released on November 15 till the next date of hearing, i.e. December 5, 2013” Praveen Choudhury and Prayank Kumar Sharma, two of the counsels representing the petitioners said.