New Delhi (Sputnik): The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday ordered a halt to the release of a biopic on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mod, ruling that any biopic material in the form of biography or hagiography (a biography that treats its subject with undue reverence) that has the potential to disturb the level playing field during elections ought not to be displayed when the model code of conduct (MCC) for elections are in effect.
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The order was signed by the three election commissioners, namely Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa.
"Any biopic material in the nature of biography/hagiography sub serving the purposes of any political entity or any individual entity connected to it, which is intended to, or which has potential to disturb the level playing field during the elections, should not be displayed in electronic media including cinematograph during the operation of model code of conduct," the order read.
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The Modi biopic was set to be released on 5 April. The release date was first postponed to 12 April, and then ‘until further notice') as the film was yet to get certified by the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC).
The ECI ruling doesn't mean that the biopic has been banned for good. The film will still be released after the election and once the CBFC grants it the requisite certification.