Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's upcoming movie Messenger of God has been denied permission by the Censor
Board for release in the country.
The movie, scheduled to release on January 16, was denied certification after committee members took exception to Ram Rahim Singh, depicting himself as god in the film.
The movie has the controversial Dera chief -- who is facing cases of sexual abuse and murder -- in the lead role and portrays him as a swashbuckling hero fighting "social evils" in flashy costumes.
While the trailer has already garnered over a million hits on the popular video sharing site, YouTube; the same does not seem to be appealing to the authorities. Most of the board members showed concerns with the actor and Godman Baba Ram Rahim Singh doing miracles and performing acts to cure diseases in the film.
Earlier in the day, the revising panel after referred the movie to a tribunal after watching it.
"It is highly controversial and can hurt sentiments of people, though in terms of graphics it is an amazing movie," said board member Nandini Sardesai. "If a Batman or a Superman had done these stunts, we would have appreciated it, but he is a public figure and we cannot clear this move, so referring it to a tribunal."
Censor Board bans Dera chief's Messenger of God
Board for release in the country.
The movie, scheduled to release on January 16, was denied certification after committee members took exception to Ram Rahim Singh, depicting himself as god in the film.
The movie has the controversial Dera chief -- who is facing cases of sexual abuse and murder -- in the lead role and portrays him as a swashbuckling hero fighting "social evils" in flashy costumes.
While the trailer has already garnered over a million hits on the popular video sharing site, YouTube; the same does not seem to be appealing to the authorities. Most of the board members showed concerns with the actor and Godman Baba Ram Rahim Singh doing miracles and performing acts to cure diseases in the film.
Earlier in the day, the revising panel after referred the movie to a tribunal after watching it.
"It is highly controversial and can hurt sentiments of people, though in terms of graphics it is an amazing movie," said board member Nandini Sardesai. "If a Batman or a Superman had done these stunts, we would have appreciated it, but he is a public figure and we cannot clear this move, so referring it to a tribunal."
Censor Board bans Dera chief's Messenger of God
