Plea against 'Gulaab Gang'; HC asks producers to respond

The Delhi High Court has asked the producers of Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla-starrer film 'Gulaab Gang' to apprise it of their plans about the movie's release on DVD and television channels on a fresh plea moved by activist Sampat Pal seeking an injunction against it.
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice B D Ahmed and Justice Siddharth Mridul has asked the film's producers including Sahara One Media and Entertainment Ltd to give their response on April 24.
The bench, which had earlier set aside the order of a single judge stalling its release on March 7, gave the order while hearing the plea by Uttar Pradesh-based social activist Sampat Pal seeking an injunction against the release of the film's DVDs and its screening on TV channels.

Pal has alleged that she and her group 'Gulabi Gang' have been shown in poor light and as law breakers in the movie which is primarily based on her life.
However, the producers have been opposing the contention.
Earlier, the producers had opposed the plea of Pal that the ongoing screening of the movie has amounted to "continuous defamation", saying that it had bombed at the box office.

The film, which was scheduled for a nationwide release on March 7, had faced trouble after a single judge bench on March 5 stayed its release, taking note of Pal's defamation case.

However, the larger bench later lifted the stay, saying the film can be shown after giving a clear disclaimer that it has nothing to do with the life of Pal and her organisation.
Pal, who runs 'Gulabi Gang' comprising women vigilantes wearing pink sarees, had said she and her members help harassed women and girls by resorting to peaceful means while the promos show that the lead actor, playing her character, as an anti-social element, wielding swords and sickles.
The single judge had noted that while the producers might suffer monetary loss, Pal will suffer both financial loss, as her copyright over Gulabi Gang has been used without her permission, as well as loss of reputation "which cannot be calculated in terms of money".