A decision on releasing The Da Vinci Code is expected to be taken by evening, according to I&B Minister PR Dasmunsi.
Christian groups want an advisory indicating that the film is fiction.
NEW DELHI: A decision on releasing the controversial The Da Vinci Code is expected to be taken by evening today, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister PR Dasmunsi.
Some members of Christian groups said after a special screening on Wednesday that a ban on the film is unlikely. It is learnt that the most probable outcome would be to recommend the inclusion of a disclaimer before and after the film to clarify that it is a work of fiction.
Dasmunsi, along with officials of his ministry and eight representatives of Christian groups, watched the film at a private screening. The film is due for release tomorrow.
The Christian groups will meet in the capital today and convey their view to the ministry by 11am. The ministry will make that view known to the censors. Dasmunsi said the final decision will be taken by the censor board. The censors had earlier in the week cleared the film without any cuts, but the government decided to review it before release.
Indicating that the government is only playing a facilitator on the issue, Dasmunsi said the Christian groups were invited to watch the movie as it was "an issue of religious sensitivity".
Though he refused to say what, if at all, he found objectionable in the film, he said "the film is okay as a product of art and fiction".
Father Alex, a member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, said, "We appreciate the minister's gesture to invite us for watching the film." Although he said there were some serious concerns to be addressed, he acknowledged that the film is "a piece of fiction".
Another Christian representative said, "There should not be any ban on the film. Our faith is not so fragile."
Bishop Anil Kuttu, who was present at the screening, said, "We will give our response tomorrow morning." Although there are concerns, he said he did not find the film "too objectionable".
This is not the first time a film is being reviewed by the government before its release. Recently, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee had viewed Rang De Basanti before its release to suggest changes in the film.
The Da Vinci Code is being distributed by Sony Pictures.
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