'Mulk' in trouble? Court stays release, makers react
What's the story
'Mulk' which was scheduled to be released on August 3 might be delayed as a sessions court in Mumbai granted an interim stay-order.
The decision came after the court heard a property rent dispute which involves Benaras Media Works Limited, an entertainment agency.
As the agency is connected to the movie, the court decided to order an interim stay until the dispute is resolved.
The dispute
'Mulk' gets caught in crossfire between entertainment-agency and owner
At the center of this controversy is a legal dispute between one Vandana Pawani and the entertainment agency.
Vandana alleged that the agency took her bungalow on rent in 2011 to convert it into an office space.
When relevant civic-bodies disallowed the agency from turning the residential space to a commercial one, they refused payment that ran up to Rs. 50 lakh.
The response
Director Anubhav Sinha says not connected with agency
Anubhav Sinha's lawyer has stated that the application alleging the link between the entertainment agency and the director was wrong.
Although a judge stayed the release till next hearing on August 2, the lawyer said they had not received the court's order.
He said they will seek clarification from the same court or Bombay High Court.
What he said
Court has been misled, claims Sinha
Taking to Twitter, Anubhav Sinha maintained they did not receive any official court order.
However, he pointed out that if the court was 'mischievously misled' they would appeal to vacate the same.
He further assured that they were logistically prepared to release the film on August 3.
'Mulk' sheds light on the rising communal tensions in the country.
Twitter Post
Anubhav Sinha's tweet shows he is livid at unnecessary complication
— Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) July 30, 2018
Do you know?
'Mulk' touches on Islamophobia and communal tensions
The movie follows a Muslim family struggling to reclaim their honor and trust in society after a family member becomes a terrorist. Shot in Lucknow and Benaras, the film addresses Islamophobia. The movie stars Taapsee Pannu, Rishi Kapoor and Prateik Babbar in pivotal roles.