'Kaala' set to hit screens tomorrow as HC declines stay

The Madras High Court today declined to stall the release of Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kaala' slated to hit the screens tomorrow on a plea alleging that the movie has portrayed Thiraviyam Nadar and his family in bad light.

Petitioner J Muthuramesh claimed that Thiraviyam Nadar, who at one point was respected as a leader of a section of Tamils settled in Mumbai, especially in slums of Dharavi, had helped many people who migrated there seeking a livelihood.

The petitioner submitted that the film's director Pa Ranjith has made the movie based on the life of Thiraviyam Nadar, but used untrue facts to portray him and his family in bad light.

Recording the submissions, Justice T Raja asked the petitioner whether he had the consent or permission of Thiraviyam Nadar's family to move the plea.

The petitioner said that Nadar's son Jawahar Nadar had given his consent through a mail.

Directing the petitioner to produce a copy of the mail, the court today adjourned the plea till Thursday.

The petitioner sought the court's intervention to stall the movie's release till all "objectionable" scenes against the community were removed.

Denying the allegations, P R Raman, senior counsel for the makers of 'Kaala', submitted that the Supreme Court has ruled that a movie cannot be suspended or stayed once the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certifies its release.

"This was once again confirmed by the apex court during the hearing against the release of Hindi movie 'Padmavati'," the counsel said.

Moreover, the petitioner had no locus standi. He did not belong to the family of Thiraviyam Nadar, the counsel said, adding if he or his family was offended, they could only seek remedy through a civil court and they cannot file such a frivolous petition even without watching the film.

He further pointed out that the CBFC had certified the film on April 2 and the petitioner was trying to seek public attention by moving such plea.