Supreme Court asks EC to watch Vivek Oberoi's Modi biopic, issue view by April 22

The EC was asked to watch 'PM Narendra Modi' and give its view in a sealed envelope

Modi-biopic-poster-promotional Promotional poster for the Viveok Oberoi starrer 'PM Narendra Modi'

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Election Commission to watch the film PM Narendra Modi and deliver its view by April 22, according to ANI.

The film, directed by Omung Kumar and starring Vivek Oberoi, was planned for release on April 11, a day after Lok Sabha polls were slated to begin. However, the EC stopped the film's release, citing the Model Code of Conduct that came into force on March 10.

The EC had earlier said that the film and political biopics like it could "affect the level playing field", additionally citing the MCOC requirement that “any poster or publicity material concerning any such certified content, which either depicts a candidate (including prospective) for the furtherance (or purported to further) of electoral prospects, directly or indirectly, shall not be put on display in electronic media in the area where MCC is in force”.

However, the film's producers moved the Supreme Court against the stay on its release. According to IANS, the producers argued that the film was not political propaganda but an “inspiring story”.

The next hearing in the apex cout will be on April 22, by when the EC will be expected to present its verdict on the movie in a sealed envelope.

The movie had earlier received a 'Universal' certificate from the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC). Opposition parties criticized the movie and filed petitions for its stay with the Supreme Court. However, the court dismissed the stay petition, stating that the poll panel would be the appropriate authority to determine whether film could be released or not.