In a decisive ruling, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition seeking a ban on the upcoming film ‘Yadav Ji Ki Love Story’. The petitioners, including Prati Tiwari, Vishal Mohan, Ankit Badhana, and Sukhwindar Vicky, argued that the film’s title and content tarnished the image of the Yadav community. However, a bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjwal Bhuyan refused to entertain the plea, stating that the title does not defame the community in any way.
The controversy erupted over the film’s title and its trailer, which depicts a love story involving a Yadav girl and a man from a different social stratum. Protests broke out in several parts of Uttar Pradesh, with demonstrators burning posters and raising slogans against the movie. Social media amplified the outrage, with calls for an outright ban and targeting of the lead actors.
Lead actress Prati Tiwari had earlier defended the film, asserting that it contains nothing derogatory towards any community. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had already cleared the movie for release, issuing the necessary certificate. The Supreme Court’s verdict clears all hurdles, paving the way for the film’s theatrical release on February 27.
The bench drew a clear distinction from previous cases like ‘Ghooskhoro Pandit’, emphasizing that a film’s title cannot be deemed unconstitutional merely on the apprehension of community sentiment being hurt. This decision underscores the judiciary’s stance on artistic freedom versus community sensitivities, setting a potential precedent for future cinematic disputes.
As the release date approaches, the film now stands unhindered, promising audiences a story that has sparked nationwide debate. Industry watchers predict strong box-office performance, bolstered by the free publicity from the controversy.