New Delhi: The Delhi High Court today disposed of a plea against the movie Gunjan Saxena-The Kargil Girl, seeking direction to modify or delete dialogues and scenes from it that portray a negative image of the IAF. The movie is currently streaming on Netflix.
A bench headed by the Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan asked the respondents to decide on the representation of the petitioner (Justice for Rights Foundation), an NGO, according to rules.
The petition has been filed by advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, President Justice For Rights Foundation, through advocate Amit Kumar Sharma.
The petition said that in garb of creative and artistic freedom the production house of the film Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl has portrayed the Indian Air Force in an undue negative light. Some scenes and dialogues in the movie are factually incorrect, misleading and portray an inappropriate work culture to glorify the screen character of the former Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena. Several male officers have been projected as misogynists to suit the film’s false narrative, avers the plea.
It further said that the false and negative portrayal of the Indian Air Force is an abuse of freedom of expression which ought to be censured. Before the release of the movie Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, the IAF had requested Dharma Production to modify or delete the objectionable scenes that portray the IAF in negative light. As per the initial understanding the Dharma Production had promised to “represent Indian Air Force with authenticity and to make all efforts to ensure that the film helps inspire the next generation of IAF officers”. The production house did not modify or delete the scenes objected by the Air Force, but just simply inserted a disclaimer. A mere disclaimer would not be sufficient and adequate to prevent the presentation of incorrect facts about the Indian Air Force.
The petitioner has prayed for the following directions:
1. Issue Appropriate Writ/Order/Directions in the nature of mandamus to the Respondents herein to modify or delete the dialogues and scenes in the movie Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl that portrays a negative image of reputed and prestigious The Indian Air Force.
2. Stay the streaming of the Motion Picture Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl on the OTT platform Netflix till such time the inaccurate, false and misleading portrayal of The Indian Air Force through the dialogues and scenes in the said movie is not modified or deleted.
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3. Direct the respondents herein to issue an unconditional apology to the Indian Air Force for maligning and tarnishing their outstanding and distinguished reputation and prestige.
-India Legal Bureau