MP SHANTARAM NAIK HAS FAXED TO AMBIKA SONI TO SUSPEND DUM MARO DUM.

PANJIM: Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. in a letter sent by him by fax on Saturday, to Mrs Ambika Soni, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting has requested that the Central Government should suspend the exhibition of Hindi feature film ?Dum Maro Dum?, scheduled to be released all over the country, including Goa, on 22nd April, 2011 under section 6 of the Cinematograph Act 1952.

The feature film in Hindi Produced by Ramesh Sippy and directed by Rohan Sippy as per preliminary reports, appearing in print and electronic media, according to Mr Naik, contain certain dialogues and scenes which denigrates women in general, Goan women in particular and the State of Goa, in an highly objectionable manner, which should not have been allowed by the Central Board of Film Certification.

It is learnt that the film revolves around six Indians who meet in Goa and how their lives change forever once they get involved with the drug mafia. Goans have taken objection to a particular dialogue in the film which says liquor is cheap here and women are even cheaper here, Mr Naik says.

The issue has arisen in the Goa Assembly and the Government is seriously considering a legal course. The Chief Minister has called for police report while Goa State Womens Commission has filed police complaint.

Mr Naik has said that as per the guidelines issued under section 5(B) (2) of the Cinematograph Act 1952, visuals or words involving defamation of an individual or a body of individuals, or scenes that may endangered public order are not to be allowed

Guidelines further prohibit showing of scenes which have the effect of justifying or glorifying drinking and further scenes tending to encourage, justify or glamorize drug addiction are not to be shown, according to the guidelines, Mr Naik has said.

Mr Naik says that as per said guidelines scenes tending to encourage, justify or glamorize consumption of tobacco or smoking are not shown, and that, the producer has to ensure that human sensibilities are not offended by vulgarity, obscenity or depravity;

Mr Naik says that even if Censor Board has certified the film, the Central Government can revise the decision sou motto, at any stage and call for the record of any proceedings in relation to any film and after such inquiry into the matter as it considers necessary, make such order in relation thereto as it thinks fit, and the Board has to dispose of the matter in conformity with such order.

Mr Naik has said in his letter that since it may take some time to revise the decision, the central government should, in the meantime, suspend the exhibition of the film and also declared that the film may be treated as uncertified, as provided under section 6.