'Heroine' makers move court on smoking scene rider

New Delhi: The makers of Bollywood film 'Heroine', starring Kareena Kapoor, Monday moved the Delhi High Court against the information and broadcasting ministry's order to display anti-smoking messages during smoking scenes in the movie.

The film is scheduled to be released Sep 21. Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued notice to the information and broadcasting and health ministries and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and sought their responses by Sep 10.

The CBFC was also directed to view the movie and file a report in sealed cover on next date of hearing.

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  The promos of 'Heroine' suggest that it's going to be an intense film about a film star's life.

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  Kareena Kapoor is looking perfectly fit for the role of a film star in the trailer of 'Heroine'.

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  Probably, Arjun Rampal's character plays an important role in Kareena Kapoor's life in 'Heroine'.

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  Earlier, Aishwarya Rai was supposed to play the central role in 'Heroine'.

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  Kareena is looking stunning in the promos of 'Heroine'.

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  'Halkat jawani' song of 'Heroine' is already a chart-buster.

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  Kareena Kapoor plays the character of a very successful film actress Mahi Arora in 'Heroine'.

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  Madhur Bhandarkar wanted to cast Kareena in 'Page 3' and 'Corporate' also but she refused those films due to date related issues.

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  Recently released 'The Dirty Picture' was also based on the life of a film actress.

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  The film appears to be dark in nature.

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  Randeep Hooda is expected to play a cricketer in 'Heroine'.

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  The video of the song 'Saaiyaan', released by the makers, hint that the film has a 'love and betrayal' theme.

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  In a TV interview, Rampal said that his character has a grey shade in 'Heroine'.

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  'Heroine' is Madhur Bhandarkar's first high budget film, otherwise he is known for making films in limited budget.

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  Bhandarkar worked in a video parlour before turning into a director.

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  He learnt the tricks of the trade while he was an assistant to Ram Gopal Varma.

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  All of Madhur Bhandarkar's hit films have strong female protagonists.

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  Bhandarkar has won three National Film Awards for 'Chandni Bar', 'Page 3' and 'Traffic Signal'.

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  Described as Kareena's role of the lifetime, 'Heroine' is expected to be realistic in its approach.

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  Will Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Heroine' be able to receive the critical as well as the commercial success?

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Kareena Kapoor

The film's producer, UTV Software Communication, approached the court seeking issuance of a board certificate for the movie without the conditions related to anti-smoking messages.

The producer also sought the setting aside of letter issued to them by the information and broadcasting ministry Aug 2, imposing an additional condition that films that have smoking scenes should start with a 20-second warning on smoking hazards.

According to the ministry's letter, producers have to shoot the 20-second message on the actor seen smoking in the film, repeat it in the middle of the movie and also have a static message on the screen during the entire length of a smoking scene.

The petition said the ministry requested the CBFC to advise the film makers to ensure "a 20-second anti-smoking message as approved by the health ministry with voice-over of the actor who is seen smoking in the film to be displayed at the beginning and in the middle (after interval) of the film".

Another condition imposed on filmmakers was that a static anti-smoking message should be "displayed for the duration of the smoking scene in the film".

Having no objection with the 20-second message at the beginning and in the interval of the movie, UTV's counsel Parag Tripathi and Atul Nanda opposed the proposed static anti-smoking message during a scene.

"It would kill the creativity of the scene," the film producer said. The production house had incurred over Rs 30 crore on the film by July-end, said the producer.

UTV said that the production house had been burdened with the 'unreasonable and arbitrary requirement' to display a message during smoking scenes.

The requirement "infringes the constitutional freedom and rights guaranteed to the petitioner", said UTV.

Also See

• Kareena's birthday surprise for Madhur Bhandarkar
• 'Heroine' will be Kareena's best film: Karisma
• Watch the song 'Saaiyaan' from the film 'Heroine'

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