The Legend of Michael Mishra: After Punjab, Haryana bans Arshad Warsi's film over Valmiki reference

Chandigarh: A day after the Punjab government imposed a ban on the screening of comedy film The Legend of Michael Mishra, the Haryana government on Friday announced a similar ban in the state. [caption id=“attachment_2936612” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Arshad Warsi and Aditi Rao Hydari in ‘The Legend of Michael Mishra’.[/caption] “The Haryana government has banned the screening of the film The Legend of Michael Mishra in the state till further orders,” a Haryana government spokesman said here. “The decision to this effect was taken in view of the reports that there was resentment among members of the Valmiki community regarding some objectionable utterances in a part of the film,” he said. The film that stars Arshad Warsi, Aditi Rao Hydari and Boman Irani was released on Friday, August 5. “The Haryana government had received information that certain organisations and individuals were protesting against the exhibition of this film, as the lead actor, Mr. Arshad Warsi, in a scene utters objectionable words which have the potential to outrage the religious feelings of the Valmiki community,” the spokesman said. The ban was imposed after a committee, set up by the Haryana government, watched the film and recommended that the film’s screening be stopped. “The committee recommended that it was essential to take necessary action in stopping the release of this film in cinema halls and multiplexes as its release could cause communal violence and damage to public and private property, causing a serious law and order situation,” he added. The Punjab government had on Thursday announced a ban on the screening of the comedy film. Reports suggest that the makers have removed the controversial dialogue from the film. Kishor Arora, the film’s producer said to MovieTalkies.com, “We have a valid censor certification and voluntarily removed the objectionable matter as we do not wish to hurt anyone’s sentiments. It’s very sad that in spite of all this we are facing difficulties in exhibiting the film. Where do we go seek redressal?” Meanwhile the Valmiki community staged violent protests in Ludhiana demanding for an all-India ban for the  film. Shopkeepers in many parts of the state downed their shutters in the fear of backlash. With inputs from IANS