Punjab govt bans Arshad Warsi's The Legend of Michael Mishra; here's why

Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Thursday announced a ban on the screening of comedy film The Legend of Michael Mishra.

“The Punjab government has suspended the exhibition of the film with immediate effect for two months and during such suspension, it shall be deemed to be uncertified film in the state,” a spokesman of the state government said.

He said the decision was taken “keeping in view the prevailing strong resentment among the Valmiki community about some objectionable references to Maharishi Valmiki”.

On Wednesday the Valmiki community called for a Punjab Bandh to protest against the usage of objectionable language while addressing Maharishi Valmiki in the film. They also sought for the arrest of Arshad Warsi, the film’s producer, director and chairman of the CBFC.

“The decision was aimed at keeping intact the hard earned peace and social harmony in the state as the screening of this film may invite massive protests,” the spokesman added.

This is not the first time that the Punjab government has taken such an action against a film. They had earlier banned Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s controversial film Messenger of God.

The film, which is slated for release on Friday, August 5, also stars Aditi Rao Hydari and Boman Irani.

With inputs from IANS