A new metropolitan judge court in Mumbai has summoned actress Alia Bhatt, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and two writers in a criminal defamation case related to the upcoming film Gangubai Kathiawadi. He has been asked to appear in court on 21 May. While Sanjay is the director of the film, Alia is playing the lead role in the film. The film is based on a chapter in Hussain Zaidi’s book, Mumbai’s Mafia Queens.
WHAT DOES BABU RAVJI SHAH CLAM?
Babu Raviji Shah claims that the chapter on Gangubai Kathiawadi in the book was defamatory, tarnished his reputation, and violated his deceased mother’s right to privacy and self-respect. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, in which Gangubai’s role is played by Alia Bhatt, is based on the book and hence a defamation suit is filed against both the filmmaker and the actress.
PREVIOUSLY SHAH ISSUED A SUIT WHICH WAS DISMISSED BY COURT
Shah requested publication of the book a restraining order against the book’s author, asking that the film and its promotions and trailer should not be aired. The court had held that the lawsuit was limited since the book was published in 2011 and the lawsuit was filed only in December 2020. Shah did not present any evidence to support his claim that he was the adopted son of Kathiawadi, nor was it a sham. Any evidence of how legal adoption requirements were met. The filmmakers and writers also told the court that Shah had not joined the other family members, who, according to him, had been unjust to him due to the contents of the book.
SHAH CLAIMS MOVIE NOT BASED ON FACTS
Shah filed a petition for criminal action against the writers and the filmmaker for defaming the family. Shah claimed that the film is not based on fact and maligns the family. The court said that the allegations levelled by Shah reveal the effects of the film’s publicity on him and his extended family. Also, he relied on a copy of the complaint filed at Nagpada police station on December 11, 2020. The trial court stated that this prima facie shows that the complainant and his family suffer mental pain due to the book. movie trailer. The court stated that it appears that the complainant has given notice to all the defendants, however, barring one of the defendants, the other did not respond. Therefore, the court issued a process against all the defendants. After investigating Shah’s complaint, the trial court released Alia Bhatt, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and a sub-character for the authors. He is scheduled to arrive at court on 21 May. Gangubai Kathiawadi is to premiere on 30 July. Apart from Alia Bhatt, the film also stars Ajay Devgan in a pivotal role.