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Manisha halts Ek Chhotisi Love Story release
Mumbai High Court grants a stay order on the film
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The Mumbai High Court has stayed the release of the controversial film Ek Chhotisi Love Story till October 5. The court had earlier dismissed the petition --- filed by actress Manisha Koirala --- on the grounds that the objectionable scenes were not vulgar and were, in fact, necessary to the plot of the film.
Directed by Shashilal Nair, the film was due for release September 6.
A division bench comprising Justices R M Lodha and Dilip Bhosale stayed the release of the film until Koirala's appeal was finally heard and disposed. Admitting the appeal, the bench said, "In our view, the matter requires consideration."
Meanwhile, Koirala said that the Mumbai High Court has protected women's dignity by granting interim stay of her controversial film and expressed her gratitude for this decision. "The judiciary has protected women's dignity. I am really
grateful for the verdict," Koirala told Star Television Network.
Asserting that the film violated women's dignity, Koirala said she always believed that she was on the "right side" after controversy broke out when she demanded deletion of some objectionable scenes done by a double (Jessica Choksi). Koirala said she had the right to press for deletion of objectionable scenes. "I don't need this kind of film and any publicity," she said.
The judges asked Koirala to give an undertaking that she would not seek any relief or damages from the producer of
the film until her appeal was finally disposed of.
Koirala alleged that director Shahshilal Nair had used a body double in obscene scenes which portrayed her in bad light. Nair said he had used Koirala's duplicate with her permission because she had become obese, which Koirala denied. Also Koirala claimed that even though a body double had been used for those scenes in the film, her reputation would be damaged if the film were released.
Meanwhile, Nair said, "We have already released 97 prints (of the film) all over. It is out of my hand now."
PTI