The petition filed by a person claiming to be Gangubai’s adopted son, moved court and sought an injunction against the film’s producers, actress Alia Bhatt and authors S Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges, who wrote the book on which the film is based. This judgement comes just a day ahead of the film’s scheduled theatrical release tomorrow, February 25.
According to a report on Bar and Bench, a Bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and JK Maheshwari was hearing the appeal filed against the order of the Bombay High Court that refused to stay the release of the film.
Appearing for filmmakers Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Senior Advocate Aryama Sundaram said that the Court was dealing with a case where the film has not been seen as yet.
“Censor certificate has been given. So for a person to say that legal right should not be exercised, the person has to show a strong reason,” he said.
Sundaram also called upon the petitioner to prove that he was indeed Gangubai’s adopted son.
On the argument that the film casts the Khamatipura area in a bad light, Advocate said, “We don’t consider it shameworthy if a woman rises above from this background and does something for the society, it is not to be ashamed of.”
He also refuted defamation claims, saying that the alleged adopted son of Gangubai was unaware of the book ‘Mafia Queens’ which was published 11 years ago and “now when film is coming out he becomes aware of it.”
Arguing on the charges on naming a victim of sexual assault, he said, “This is not an ongoing trial and she is not a victim. She is someone who has died 42 years ago. she is not a victim. every house has a picture of her.”
Touching upon Gangubai’s portrayal in the book, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi stated that there was nothing ‘derogatory’. He went on to state that the character was in fact “glorified as to how she rose from a background and became an activist and how she was caught in such a situation and how she rose thereon.”
Rohatgi also questioned the timing of the plea, saying that it comes just a day before the release of the film after satellite and third party rights were already granted.
He also went on to cite the ‘Padmaavat’ case, in which the Supreme Court had refused to ban the film.
According to the report, Justice Maheshwari also asked for proof that the petitioner was adopted by Gangubai. On questioning the counsel, the Court found that there was no official adoption of the petitioner.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday suggested that director Bhansali change the name of his film in the wake of the several pending cases before the courts seeking a halt to the release of the film, based on various factors.
The hearing on the case will continue today.
