The Rajasthan High Court recently issued a notice on a petition seeking a ban on the release of the film ‘Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai’ in theatres and on OTT platforms.
The court has also issued notice on the application for an interim stay on the film’s release during pendency of the petition.
The petition has been filed by Asaram Bapu, who is currently in jail in a rape case, and Om Prakash Lakhani, a trustee of the Sant Shri Asaram Ji Ashram Charitable Trust.
The petition claims that the film was made without Asaram Bapu’s permission and portrays him in a negative light.
In his order dated May 19, Justice Pusphendra Singh Bhati stated, “Issue notice. Issue notice on the stay application as well. The rule is made returnable on May 23, 2023.”
The film’s lead actor is Manoj Vajpayee. The film is directed by Apoorv Singh Karki and produced by Zee5 Studio and others.
According to the plea, the film has damaged Asaram’s reputation and privacy rights by portraying him as a villainous character named “Ravana” who has committed heinous crimes.
According to the petition, this has a “volcanic effect” on the feelings of lakhs of Sant devotees and followers. The petitioner claims that the image was designed and created by focusing on a single criminal case fought by an ordinary lawyer from Jodhpur.
“The very object of this film is to directly defame and damage the Asaram’s character and reputation, as well as to hurt the sentiments of his devotees and lakhs of followers, who have so much respect, regard, and spiritual faith in his character, and to indirectly harm the Hindu religion on a global scale,” the plea alleged.
