MP Cong leader threatens to stall release of 'The Accidental Prime Minister'

Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the upcoming Bollywood film 'The Accidental Prime Minister', Madhya Pradesh's Congress leader Syed Zafar stated that they won't let the movie release in the state without watching it first.

The leader, in an exclusive interview with ANI, claimed that "Manmohan Singh is an intellectual leader. Using words like accidental prime minister is very wrong and we will not allow such a film."

"If such a film will release in Madhya Pradesh, Congress will protest against the film. And we will not allow let the film screening to take place here," he added.

On being asked what are they objecting to in the movie, he responded saying, "We have a problem with the film's title as well as the film's trailer. The film's title is really wrong. Congress will first see the movie and only after that, it will get released. "

He also stated that he has written a letter to the director regarding the film's title and the content of the movie.

"I have written a letter to the director, we strongly object to the name and what was shown in the trailer," said Zafar.

Besides, Madhya Pradesh government, the Maharashtra Youth Congress has also raised an objection to biographical film and asserted that if the movie is released without prior screening for their office bearers, they will resort to "other options" to stop the screening of the film.

Meanwhile, Anupam Kher, who portrays the role of Manmohan Singh in the biopic, said they can't change the facts.

"If we make a film on the issue of Jallianwala Bagh or The Holocaust or any historic incident, we can't change the history or the facts. That's what we have done here," the 63-year-old told ANI.

"The book is written by a man who was very close to the prime minister at that time. This book was either ignored or people moved on after its release. So why this hue and cry now?" Kher had questioned.

He also added that both the film and the trailer have been approved by the Central Board of Certification (CBFC). "If they think their political party is above the law, then the law will decide on it," said the actor.

The actor also took to his Twitter handle and said, "I am not going to back off. This is my life's best performance. #DrManmohanSingh will agree after seeing the film that it is a 100% accurate depiction. Will meet the media at 5.30pm at Actor Prepares, Film Industry Welfare Trust, Santacruz. #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister."

The trailer of the movie, which recently came out, drew a lot of flak from the opposition Congress party which poked holes in the portrayal of the former prime minister.

'The Accidental Prime Minister' is based on facts as chronicled in a book by Sanjaya Baru-- Manmohan Singh's media advisor between 2004 and 2008. It revolves around Singh's life, the economist and politician who served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014 under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Helmed by debutant Vijay Gutte and written by Hansal Mehta, the flick is slated to release on January 11, 2019.