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Rediff.com  » Movies » Women protest against Ramu's film

Women protest against Ramu's film

By Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad
September 03, 2004 22:01 IST
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Ram Gopal VarmaThe Andhra Pradesh high court has directed the Central Board of Film Certification and producers of a Telugu film, Madhyanam Hatya (Midday Murder), to remove the controversial sub-title that has raised the hackles of women's groups in the state.

The sub-title of the movie asks 'Would you feel good if your wife was dead?'

Produced and directed by Ram Gopal Varma, it was released in theatres in the state on Friday.

The court passed the orders while admitting a public interest litigation filed by the Progressive Organisation of Women, contending that the sub-title on posters of the movie gave wrong signals and was in the nature of inciting atrocities against women.

When the court sought to know whether the sub-title was cleared by the CBFC, the government pleader said it was not. Thereupon, the court directed that the sub-title be removed within seven days.

The petitioners claimed the film was doing damage to families and women in particular. It was also hurting the feelings of women, especially wives. 

POW termed the title as 'irresponsible and insensitive' and raised doubts over the censor certification where Section 5B of the Cinematography Act bars portrayal of obscenity and violence in films.

Women activists belonging to the students, youth and mahila wings of the Left parties staged protests, burnt an effigy of Ram Gopal Varma, tore up the film's posters and threatened to disrupt screenings at a dozen theatres in the twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad.

They claimed the film showed different ways of killing one's wife and packing her body in a box. Women's organisations told the regional censor board officer in Hyderabad that the publicity material, including film posters and television clippings, depicted violence against women for questioning their spouses' misdemeanor.

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Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad