Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Says State Will Consider Banning Film Kaali Amid Poster Row
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said that banning the Kaali documentary will also be considered in the state.
Amid the ongoing outrage over a controversial poster of the documentary film Kaali, several FIRs have been registered against filmmaker Leena Manimekalai in various states. Leena Manimekalai shared her documentary film's poster on social media on Saturday, July 2.
The poster allegedly depicts a woman portraying goddess Kaali and smoking a cigarette while a flag of the LGBT community is shown in the background.
While Delhi police, Uttar Pradesh police and Patna-based lawyers in Bihar have already filed separate complaints against the filmmaker, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra is now ready to take legal action against Leena Manimekalai.
Narottam Mishra has stated that he will direct the police to register an FIR in this matter and even consider banning the movie in the state.
"It is quite objectionable to show our Kali Mata smoking a cigarette in the documentary film 'Kaali'. I will direct the police to file an FIR in this matter. The banning of the film in Madhya Pradesh will also be considered,¡± Narottam Mishra told the media.
Reports suggest the home minister of Madhya Pradesh has also stated that stricter legal action will be taken against the director if the film's poster is not withdrawn immediately. ¡°Why Manimekalai make a documentary on our gods and goddess? Can she dare to make documentaries on other religions? This is objectionable,¡± Narottam Mishra said.
What Leena Manimekalai Said About Her Controversial Documentary Film Kaali?
Moreover, after receiving flak for her film poster on social media, filmmaker Leena Manimekalai said on Monday that she will continue to fearlessly voice what she believes.
"I have nothing to lose. Till the time I live, I wish to live with a voice that speaks what I believe without fear. If the price for that is my life, it can be given," the filmmaker tweeted in Tamil in response to an article on the ongoing Kaali controversy.
Leena Manimekalai has also urged people to watch her documentary film to know what's the context behind the poster.
"The film is about the events during Kaali's strolls through the streets of Toronto city one fine evening. If they watch the movie, they will put the hashtag 'love you Leena Manimekalai' rather than 'Arrest Leena Manimekalai'," she said.
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