The Election Laws of India have finally bared their teeth. And the one at the end of the receiving end is none other than Vikrant Massey’s upcoming film ‘The Sabarmati Report’. The latest news regarding the Balaji Motion Pictures film is that it has been postponed to a new release date. ‘The Sabarmati Report’ release date in theatres is now 2nd August, 2024.
The original release date for ‘The Sabarmati Report’ was slated for 3rd May, 2024. But alas, the film’s May release date hit a roadblock in the form of the censor board and the election commission of India. Recently, Balaji Telefilms submitted their upcoming film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ to the censor board for certification. Since May is the time of the 2024 general elections, the censor board refused to certify the film and advised them to reschedule the The Sabarmati Report release date to a date after the elections.
Given the explosive nature of the main subject of The Sabarmati Report, it is obvious that the election laws, called Achaar Sanhita, would come into play while allowing the film to release in theatres right in the middle of the elections. The reason is that the premise of the movie puts one community under the scanner, while being partial to another community, as well as a particular state government.
Releasing The Sabarmati Report right in the middle of the General Elections 2024 would amount to unduly influencing a particular category of voters to vote for a particular party and their respective candidates. Obviously, it is something that the election commission would never allow.
In view of the above, and since the censor board refused to certify the film, Balaji had no option but to postpone The Sabarmati Report to a later date after the elections get over. In doing so, the “election propaganda” plan of making and releasing such controversial movies in an election year has fallen flat on its face.
The Sabarmati Report recounts the horrific fire in the Sabarmati Express which was burnt near Godhra in Gujarat, and led to the death of 59 karsevaks. The incident triggered the terrible communal riots in Gujarat in 2002. The film stars Vikrant Massey Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra in key roles. It is directed by Ranjan Chandel and produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms.
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