Row over Gujarati film on ‘NaMo’ reaches poll panel

Namo Saune Gamo was released in 20 multiplexes in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state but veteran film journalist Narhari Vyas told Khaleej Times that the director had stopped the screening in most of the theatres after a raging controversy, though the movie had nothing to do with the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.

Arjun Modhwadia, state president of the Congress, which has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to stay the release of the film till polls are over, said that NaMo Saune Gamo was a suggestive title with two meanings — ‘NaMo, everyone likes you’ and ‘One who bows is liked by all’.

He said the lead actor as shown in posters looked exactly like Modi, adding that the name of the film was nothing but an advertisement of the BJP leader. “It is nothing but election propaganda material of Modi but the expenditure would be put down to the producer’s account, as if BJP has nothing to do with it. We strongly object to such indirect publicity and have asked the EC to stay the release till the elections get over,” Modhwadia said.

The AAP also approached the ECI to stop the release of the film. Gujarat AAP media in-charge Harshil Nayak said that the movie was an advertisement of Modi, and added that the release of such film was a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct during elections.

“We thus implore you to stop the violation of Model Code of Conduct by stopping the release and exhibition of any such film to ensure free and fair elections,” the AAP complaint said.

The ECI is yet to give its verdict but had last month ordered a halt to the shooting of the Gujarat Tourism ad film by actor Amitabh Bachchan until elections are over.

mahesh@khaleejtimes.com

• India