Bombay high court notice to Amitabh Bachchan over 'KBC' promo

The Bombay high court has issued a notice to Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan and asked him to file his reply to a PIL — which alleges that the promotional clips of Kaun Banega Crorepati’s season 4 were disrespectful of a freedom slogan coined by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose — by July 28.

Advocate Rui Rodriguez, appearing for the Central Board of Film Certification, said: “The court has issued notices to the information and broadcasting ministry, the Advertising Council of India, Sony Entertainment Television and Bachchan.”

The petition, filed by Andheri resident Mukkesh Sharma, states that Bose’s slogan ‘Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azaadi doonga (You give me blood, I will give you freedom)’ has been ridiculed in the promo. In order to escalate the show’s TRPs, its producer, Sony Entertainment Television, has “advertently and purportedly” insulted the freedom slogan, the PIL states.

Rodriguez said the CBFC had cleared the promo for theatrical viewing. Other agencies controlling TV content should be made party to the PIL. The court should view the CD, she said. The court adjourned the hearing till July 28.