UP dist ban screening of film based on life of former bandit

BHADOHI (UP): The screening of a film starring a former dacoit-turned-Lok Sabha contestant has been banned by the district administration, which claimed it violated the model code of conduct.

The screening of 'Wounded', released on March 16 and starring former bandit Seema Parihar, who is contesting Lok Sabha by-poll from Mirzapur, was withdrawn from cinema halls on Wednesday evening on the orders of District Magistrate Ram Surat Dubey, who said it 'violated' the model code of conduct.

Parihar, who is contesting on a ticket of the Indian Justice Party , however, on Thursday claimed the administration's decision was wrong as notification for the by-poll on May 3 had not yet been issued and said she would write a letter to the Election Commission against the move.

The film produced and directed by Krishna Misra is on the life of Parihar, who herself played her character.

Parihar also inaugurated her party office here and said she would work for ameliorating the condition of women in the region, which she claimed was worse than that in Chambal valley.

To comparisons being drawn with slain Bandit Queen Phoolan Devi, who had also represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha as Samajwadi Party nominee, Parihar said the late MP had a lot of 'glamour' attached to her.

"My main contest will be with the Samajwadi Party nominee," she said in reply to another question.