- Mahesh Manjrekar’s latest Marathi film Varan Bhat Loncha Kon Nay Koncha has landed him in deep legal trouble. A case has been filed against the filmmaker at Mahim Police Station in Mumbai for the alleged indecent portrayal of young kids and women.
- Apart from him, the complainant has also mentioned the name of the film’s producers Narendra, Shreyans Hirawat and NH Studioz in the case.
- A Special POCSO Court had asked the Mumbai police to investigate into a complaint filed against Mahesh and those who were associated with the film under section 156(3) of CrPC.
- The case has been registered under the provisions of section 34/292 of IPC, section 14 of POCSO and section 67 and 67B of the Information Technology Act.
- Back in January, when the trailer of the film was released, the National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma wrote a letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, asking them to check the blatant circulation of sexually explicit content involving minors on various social media platforms. The NCW chief also mentioned that the trailer of the film is offensive as it should minors in very objectionable sexual scenarios.
- In a recent interview, the filmmaker has said that his lawyers will respond as the opposite party has taken the legal route, but he stands by his film. He said that the film had been passed by the Central Board of Film Certification and that is enough to prove his innocence. “What more can I say” said the filmmaker.
- So far, no arrests have been made in the case and further probe into the matter is ongoing.
- The filmmaking industry is often seen in a legal battle regarding what they believe is artistic freedom but is viewed by the majority in the society as a blatant violation of the law coupled with a violation of the moral standards of the society. A balance has to be struck between the freedom of expression which is no doubt held in a very high regard, and the law of the land which imposes reasonable restriction on this freedom of expression, but in matters where the most vulnerable section of our society, that is, children are involved, artistic freedom should, in my humble opinion, give way to the objective of the law to protect these innocent people from prying eyes.
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