Congress isn't mulling a ban on 'The Accidental Prime Minister'
What's the story
Anupam Kher's upcoming movie The Accidental Prime Minister has hogged limelight after its trailer released on Thursday.
While Congress has cried propaganda over the movie and slammed BJP, it has denied reports that it is batting for the movie's ban in Madhya Pradesh.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted the party is not mulling any such action and criticized the Narendra Modi government.
Context
Backstory: Why has a movie deepened political lines
The movie, directed by Vijay Gutte, is based on Sanjaya Baru's book by the same name and focuses on Dr. Manmohan Singh's tenure as Prime Minister during UPA rule.
After the trailer released, BJP calling it 'riveting' in a tweet, and Congress supporters claimed it was just a work of fiction to malign the party ahead of general elections in 2019.
Twitter Post
Is Kamal Nath government thinking of a ban? Surjewala speaks
This is incorrect. M.P Govt has taken no such decision.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 28, 2018
Fake propaganda by BJP won’t desist us from questioning the Modi Govt on-
Rural Distress,
Unemployment,
Demo Disaster,
Flawed GST,
Failed Modinomics,
All pervading Corruption!
Nation wants Governance, not diversion! https://t.co/ArKOALpS09
Reactions
Congress leader claims the movie is BJP's propaganda
While a ban is clearly out of question, many Congress leaders spoke against the movie.
Newly-elected Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said propaganda will not work this time and people will see through it.
Calling it BJP's handiwork, PL Punia said now that it is the time to give answers for the last five years, the party was diverting attention by raising such issues.
Twitter Post
With hoopla around movie, Madhur Bhandarkar remembers 'Indu Sarkar' days
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar on #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister: It’s a Déjà vu moment for me, last year Indu Sarkar, my movie on emergency was agitated against, across the country, film is based on a book, nobody protested against the book while it was in public domain. pic.twitter.com/CvbhHAwBPw
— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2018
Kher's defense
Amid noise, Kher says his movie wasn't made 'quietly'
But Kher is standing by his movie. He said the trailer was released after the movie was 'censored'.
He also drew attention to the fact that the movie was not made 'quietly'. He claimed it was announced years ago, and his look was also revealed months ago.
"We have in fact only 15 days left for the film to come out," he said.
Hopes
Should nominate me for Oscars for this movie: Kher
Kher cited Hollywood's example and said their movies on political personalities got the actors Oscars.
He added this movie should be India's nomination for the Oscars and that everyone told him he looked exactly like Dr. Singh.
"I will say that these people who are protesting should suggest my name for the Oscars for being so close to Dr. Manmohan Singh," he said.