DMD makers to screen movie before Goa Committee on Apr 18

Panaji: The makers of `Dum Maro Dum` have agreed to screen the movie before a State Level Committee in Goa on April 18, following objections from several quarters for allegedly potraying the tourist destination and its people in bad light.

A senior government official said the screening of the movie is likely to be held at Maquaniz Palace, a venue for annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The Committee headed by State Information Secretary Rajiv Verma is expected to give its opinion on the film, which would be considered by the state government before spelling its stand on the movie, which depicts the drug underbelly of Goa. "The Committee will view the film and submit its recommendation/views/suggestions on the film, particularly regarding Goa’s portrayal in the film `Dum Maro Dum` so as to impress upon the Board of Film Certification and the producer to ensure that Goa and its people are not shown in negative light and public sentiments are not hurt," a government spokesman said. The movie, which stars Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu in lead roles, has evoked public protests in Goa. A media professional has filed a case in the High Court seeking a ban on the release of the movie. Also, women organisations expressed their reservations on the film. State Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has also written to Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry seeking their intervention in the matter. Sources said the multiplexes in the state have their kept their fingers crossed and are yet to publicise release of the movie which is scheduled to hit theatres on April 22. Theatre owners and multiplexes are waiting for the nod from the government to go ahead for the release of the movie. In past, Goa had banned screening of the controversial `Da Vinci Code`, considering protests from the Catholic community in the state. PTI