Court to hear petition to ban 'Dum Maro Dum'

Panaji, April 6 (IANS) The Bombay High Court will Thursday hear a petition seeking a ban on the release of Rohan Sippy's film "Dum Maro Dum" on the grounds that it portrays Goa and Goan women in a bad light.

Savio Rodrigues, who runs a local media website, has said in his petition that the "movie is against public order, decency and morality and there is clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India to the people of Goa".

The petition, which will be heard for admission Thursday, has named the state chief secretary, the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, M/s Fox Star studios, and Ramesh Sippy Entertainment as the respondents.

Rodrigues also said the bad portrayal of Goa in the film will "create a ripple effect on Goa's tourism" if it is released in India and worldwide.

"The film is scheduled to be released April 22, 2011, and as per the publicity given to the said film by the producers in the media, the said film will attract criminal minded tourists and offenders and drive away decent travellers and tourists from Goa," Savio has said in his petition.

Tourism Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar has said he will be taking up allegations of Goa's bad portrayal in the film with its director.

"We are worried that Goa may be projected badly in the film. The industry in Goa and the government have worked very hard to build the reputation of Goa to what it is today. We will intervene. The chief minister and I will take up the issue with Sippy," Halarnkar said.

The movie stars Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu.

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Dum Maaro Dum