MH-OBEROI-SAIBABA

Waiting for release of Modi biopic, Oberoi visits Sai temple
    Shirdi, Apr 21 (PTI) Actor Vivek Oberoi, who is
playing the lead role in a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, offered prayers at the Saibaba temple here to seek
blessings for the release of the film soon.
    He visited the famous temple, located at Shirdi town
in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, on Saturday.
    Later while talking to mediapersons, Oberoi expressed
hope that the film, whose release has been withheld by the
Election Commission (EC), will hit the theatres soon.
    "We sought blessings of Saibaba. Our supporters and
fans are eagerly waiting to watch the film. We made the film
based on an inspirational story, but political parties are
attacking it...we are expecting the film to be released soon,"
the actor said.
    Oberoi said the film will inspire the young generation
about how a tea-seller became the country's prime minister and
boosted its image.
    The MNS last month threatened to stall the release of
the biopic, claiming it violated the model code of conduct for
the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
    "I don't know why MNS chief Raj Thackeray is talking
against the film? I invite him to watch the film with us and
he will like it," the actor said.
    Oberoi also urged Congress president Rahul Gandhi,
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and DMK president M
K Stalin to watch the film, claiming "they will like it".
    The EC on April 10 stalled the release of the biopic
until the Lok Sabha polls end, saying any such film that
subserves the purpose of any political entity or individual
should not be displayed in electronic media.
    Acting on the complaints of political parties,
including the Congress, the poll panel asserted that any
biopic material with the potential to disturb the level-
playing field should not be displayed in areas where the model
code of conduct was in force.
    Later, the Supreme Court directed the EC to watch the
full biopic and take an informed decision on banning its
pan-India release.
    The biopic has been the most-talked about movie in
this election season. Directed by Omung Kumar, it tells the
story of Modi's rise to power from his humble beginnings. PTI
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