Thank God To Release On October 25, Supreme Court Refuses Urgent Listing Of Plea Seeking Ban

Making a film on Gods and anything remotely connected to religion is not an easy task in India. Taking care of religious sentiments and striking a balance in terms of creative liberty is a tricky affair in a country as rich and diverse in culture and religion.

Ever since the trailer of the Bollywood film Thank God, dropped on YouTube last month, it caught the ire of certain sections of society. The Kayasth community, in particular, has made its displeasure clear over the portrayal of Chitragupth played by Ajay Devgn in the film that also stars Siddharth Malhotra and Rakulpreet Singh in lead roles. As it so happens in films based on such themes, the matter reached Supreme Court. In response to a petition filed by Shri Chitragupta Welfare Trust seeking to stop the release of the comedy film, the Supreme Court has refused to hear the petition urgently, calling it a non-urgent matter.

The matter is scheduled to be heard on November 1st while the film is slated to release on the Diwali weekend i.e. 25th of October. 

The petitioners had approached the top court seeking a stay on the release of the film and the removal of the trailer and poster of Thank God from online platforms.

According to a plea filed by the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Lokesh Kumar Choudhary, the movie allegedly insults the image of Lord Chitragupta and transgresses the fundamental rights of the Kayasth community. The petition also claims that the release of the movie will be against the provisions of section 5B of the Cinematograph Act.

For the unversed, section 5B of the said Act lays down the principles for guidance in certifying films. It says that a film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of  [the sovereignty and integrity of India] the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence.

Now that the film will be released before the hearing in Supreme Court, it is likely to become an infructuous case unless and until any controversy erupts after the movie's release.