HC expresses anguish at Race 2 content

The Delhi high court on Wednesday expressed anguish over certain contents of the Bollywood movie Race 2, saying the film taught “indiscipline” to children. Hearing a PIL alleging that there was exhibition of nudity and vulgarity in the recently-released movie starring Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Saif Ali Khan among others, the court issued notices to the ministry of information and broadcasting, CBFC, Delhi government and the director of the movie. The court sought their response by March 22. “Please sit and think where the film industry is going. You have earned so much money. You are teaching indiscipline to the children. You are taking everything to the drawing room...,” a bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice V.K. Jain said. The court’s observation came after the counsel appearing for the Race 2 producers and director opposed the PIL and said that the Central Film Certification Board (CBFC) has cleared the film. The PIL was filed by Teena Sharma, a social worker, who has sought an immediate ban on further screening of the film in movie halls and its telecast on television as well besides deletion of nude scenes and vulgar dialogues before grant of permission to screen it again. Earlier, the bench had directed the Centre to look into the issues raised by Sharma and take a decision within 15 days. Being aggrieved by the “inaction” on the part of the government, the petitioner approached the court again. Sharma said that she has been raising voice against social issues, including crimes against women, and was personally deeply hurt by the nude scenes and double meaning dialogues in the film. Sharma submitted that the film, which has seen screened in 50 countries, has been graded as an adult movie in 40 nations, while here it has been granted an U/A certification.