Shiv Sena, MIM stall ‘Shorgul’ release in various cities

Mumbai, July 1 (IANS) The makers of "Shorgul" -- a political drama starring Jimmy Sheirgill and Ashutosh Rana -- claim that activists of both the Shiv Sena activists and the AIMIM party on Friday stalled the release of the controversial movie.

After a lot of obstacles, the makers of the film were confirmed 790 screens across the country. The film released on Friday.

According to a statement issued by the film's makers, Varanasi Cinema Manager IP Multiplex and IP Vijaya were threatened. Shiv Sena party workers put a stop on the film in Nanded city in Maharashtra, and the film is not being allowed to screen in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut due to issues created by AIMIM activists.

A Varanasi theatre manager was even sent to police station, and the show was allowed to play only at 5 p.m. in the Uttar Pradesh city, which comes in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency.

Vyas Verma, one of the producers, said: "If we don't garner support from cinema houses in smaller towns and districts, our box office collections will be adversely affected. Anyone who may have already seen the film will concur that the film is not controversial as it is made out to be. Inspite of getting confirmations about the screens on Thursday night it seems like we are in for a tough fight once again."

A 24 FPS Films Production, the film is based on intolerance and aspires to make audiences contemplate where humanity stands amidst the noise of religious, social, political and economic prejudice.

Also featuring Sanjay Suri, Narendra Jha, Hiten Tejwani, Eijaz Khan, Suha Gezen, Anirudh Dave and Deepraj Rana, "Shorgul" touches upon grave subjects that have transpired in the recent past such as the Muzaffarnagar, Godhra and Babri Masjid riots apart from making references to bureaucratic misdoings, mind games and controversial master strokes of some high profile dignitaries.

The film has been banned in Muzaffarnagar. Last month, a PIL filed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Milan Som against the film was dismissed by the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench.