Chennai: “In a democracy, the creator of a movie has got every right to express his fair views...Even if the views expressed in a movie are abhorrent or unpalatable, no third party can prevent the exhibition of the movie or threaten the theatre owners after the Censor Board had cleared it for screening in theatres,” observed Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy of the Madras High Court on Thursday. The judge directed the police to provide protection to theatres in Tamil Nadu that screened the Telugu movie Kingdom.
The observation came while disposing of a writ petition filed by SSI Production, the distributor holding Tamil Nadu theatrical rights for Kingdom, starring Vijay Deverakonda. The petitioner sought protection for theatres screening the movie, citing threats and disruptions by members of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), a pro-Tamil political party.
According to the petitioner, NTK chief coordinator S. Seeman had tweeted against the movie on August 4, alleging that it misrepresented the Tamil Eelam issue. Following the tweet, NTK members allegedly began damaging posters and flex boards of the film and disrupted screenings in various theatres. The petitioner also submitted videos and letters allegedly sent by NTK members to theatre owners.
The Government Advocate (criminal side) informed the court that 16 persons had been arrested so far and multiple demonstrations had taken place across the State.
Seeman’s counsel submitted his client had only expressed political opposition to the film’s content and had not attempted to stop screenings. He said the protests were peaceful and conducted in a democratic manner. He also argued that the film’s portrayal of Sri Lankan Tamils as non-natives involved in illegal activities such as smuggling was objectionable.
Justice Chakravarthy acknowledged the right of political parties to protest but emphasised that such protests must be carried out in accordance with the law. “Such protest must be conducted after obtaining due permission from the police and at a place earmarked by the police for the conduct of demonstrations,” the judge said.
The court directed the Tamil Nadu police to provide adequate protection to theatres screening the film in case of any reported threats or attempts to disrupt the screenings.
