‘Deshdrohi’ CD available, why not release film: lawyer

Mumbai, Nov 25: While the flim ‘Deshdrohi’ is banned in Maharashtra, its CDs--original as well as pirated -- are available in the market, and they have not created any law and order problem so far, Bombay High Court was told today.Argument on petition filed by its producer Kamal R Khan, challenging ban on the film, will continue tomorrow.

"CD of the film is not banned. It is officially available," said advocate Ashok Sarogi, representing Khan. CDs did not lead to any reaction in Mumbai, said Sarogi, adding that government should not ban the film just because it can not maintain law and order, and control "its own parties". The film was cleared by the sensor board, but was banned by the state government fearing violence, as it allegedly portrays victimisation of North Indians in Mumbai, at the hands of the local people. High Court last week ordered government to give a hearing to the producer. After hearing Khan, state home department refused to change its stand, so he approached court again. Sarogi said that Khan had offered to cut some scenes in his meeting with the officials. "The film is not based on any real incidents in the recent times," and had nothing to do with acts of any particular person, Sarogi said. Government`s stand is that movie may give offence to both North Indians as well as Marathis. But Sarogi said that film was not based on anti-North Indian violence in Mumbai in the last few months. He said that film`s shoot was over by January 2008. Bureau Report