Kerala Court Stays the Release of Randeep Hooda's 'Rang Rasiya'

The critically acclaimed movie "Rang Rasiya" starring Randeep Hooda and Nandana Sen in the lead is now facing legal hurdles before its release. The movie, which was slated to release on 7 November, is now stayed by Kerala court.

"Rang Rasiya" which is based on the life of legendary 19th century Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma is directed by Kethan Mehtha. The court ruling came based on a complaint by Varma's granddaughter Indradevi Kunjama.

The interim stay order was issued by the Mavelikkara Munsiff court in Alapuzha district yesterday and judge Prasun Mohan made it clear that the makers of the movie should not exhibit it without adding a disclaimer that the film has no connection with the personal life of Varma.

The court order also mentioned that the screening of the movie without a disclaimer will damage the reputation and morality of Varma's kin and family.

Meanwhile, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has also been filed in the Kerala High Court seeking a ban on the movie by S Amrutha Kumar. According to the petitioner, the film portrays the legendary artist as a womaniser and claims that it was a true story. The petitioner also pointed out that a well known artist had been depicted as a playboy and the makers of the film makers have not even given a disclaimer.

Meanwhile, the director of the movie has declined the claims of the both the petitioners and said that they will fight the case legally.

"The film was certified by the Central Board of Film Certification a year ago. I had received a legal notice on October 11 and we had replied accordingly. The film is slated to be released by November 7. We will fight it legally," said the director to Deccan Chronicle.

"Rang Rasiya" which is a bilingual film in English and Hindi is also titled as "Colours of Passion" and is based on Marathi novel "Raja Ravi Varma" by award-winning novelist Ranjit Desai. The film was earlier screened in the BFI London Film Festival, 2008 and had received rave reviews. The makers have been struggling to release the movie as the movie had to be re-edited following the Censor Board's resistance against the sensual and bold scenes in the movie.