NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court last week stayed the exhibitor controversial film Bandit Queen, reportedly based upon the life story of ex dacoit Phoolan, for public as well as for private viewing till September 28 all over the ‘country.
High Court also ordered producer Bandit Queen S, S. Bedi to le the court the film’s original version has made and produced on a video cassette within a week, to enable the court to decide upon a Suit filed by Phoolan seeking complete ban on the film.
Justice Vijender Jain, who passed the interring order, issued summons and notices to film’s director Shekhar Kapoor, B.S.Bedi.
London’s Channel Four Television. Anancy Films Limited, and author of India’s Bandit Queen; ‘A True Story Mala Sen, and directed them to file their replicas within a week.
‘The case was posted for further hearing on September 28.
The judge dictated the ordering a jam-packed courtroom after hearing arguments of defendants’ counsel Ashok Dosai on the maintainability of suit. Phoolan and her husband Umed Singh also attended the hearing, silting in the back Tows of courtroom.
Phoolan, who has been in the news since her release from Prison last year, alleged that the film had violated her right to privacy, as it has explicitly depicted her gang rape, denigrating her image and identifying her as a rape victim.
‘The suit has claimed damages of Rs 5 lakh if the producers i insist upon screening the film in Indian theaters.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 16, 1994
