Kolkata: The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to Mamata Banerjee's government in Bengal and directed it to ensure that the film Bhobishyoter Bhoot is screened without unlawful obstruction.

The apex court asked the Bengal chief secretary, the state’s department of home and Kolkata police commissioner to provide protection if required. 

While giving this verdict, the bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta said that no one can obstruct the exhibition or viewing of the film.

Also read: Mamata Banerjee’s tyranny continues in Bengal: Satirical film Bhobishyoter Bhoot stopped from playing in theatres

The decision was taken after the producers of the film filed a petition. They told the court that Censor Board had cleared the film but it was stopped from screening in theatres. 

Anik Dutta’s film Bhobishyoter Bhoot, which is said to be a strong socio-political satire, was removed as it had a controversial plot. Be it the current situation of the state, the multi-crore scams, political hooliganism, frequent crimes again women or manipulating the local media, everything were portrayed in the 2-hour satirical movie. 

The plot, according to reports, told a fictitious story inspired by real life where all haunted houses were turned into commercial locations after which the ghosts try to exact revenge.

Speaking to MyNation, director Anik Dutta expressed his frustration, saying, “The film was released in as many as 44 theatres across Kolkata and was running successfully. It received a very good response on the first day. However, since the next morning, it has been removed citing no valid reasons. When we came to know about the fact, the crew members went to various multiplexes and halls and enquired about the issue. None of them came out with a proper explanation”.

The film crew even went live from a popular movie multiplex and the video showed police personnel indulging in a war of words with them. 

“According to legal experts, no film can be banned without a valid court order if it has got the green signal from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The crew members of Bhobishyoter Bhoot went to the South City Mall multiplex on Saturday evening to enquire why the film was not being screened at the hall. They met the distributor on the matter, too. However, the person concerned at the South City multiplex could not give us a proper answer,” the director added.