Seeks registration of FIR against director, producers, actors and concerned staff of the film
A constitutional petition has been filed in a Karachi court against Indian film Dhurandhar for unauthorized use of images of the late Benazir Bhutto, the flag of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and images of party rallies in its trailer. The petition also accuses the film of portraying the PPP as supporting terrorists.
The petition was filed by PPP activist Muhammad Amir in the District and Sessions Court (South), Karachi. It is seeking an FIR against the director, producers, actors and other relevant personnel involved in the creation and promotion of the film.
The petition names director Aditya Dhar, producers Lokesh Dhar and Jyoti Kishore Deshpande, and actors Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Beni. It also lists cinematographer Vikash Nolcha, editor Shiv Kumar V Panicker and other unnamed crew members as proposed accused.
According to the petition, the official trailer includes images of the late former Prime Minister and visuals of the PPP without legal permission. He alleges that the film portrays the PPP as a sympathizer of terrorists and refers to the Lyari area of Karachi as a “terrorist war zone”, which the petitioner claims is defamatory, misleading and damaging to the reputation of Pakistan.
The petitioner claims that the trailer promotes hatred, contempt and incitement against the PPP, its leaders and supporters. It cites sections 499, 500, 502, 504, 505, 153-A and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which relate to defamation, criminal intimidation, provocation to cause riots and incitement to enmity between groups.
Amir said he had already filed a written complaint with the Darakhshan Police Station (SHO), but the police did not register a case or take legal action, prompting him to approach the court instead.
The petition seeks that the court direct the police to immediately register an FIR, direct the SSP South to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation and ensure that all responsible persons are named in the investigation relating to the film.
