PIL seeking ban on 'Sivaji-the Boss' filed in Madras HC

CHENNAI: A Congressman on Monday sought a ban on screening 'Sivaji-the Boss', the Tamil film starring superstar Rajnikant, for allegedly defaming UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Congressman, M Satyamoorthy, on Monday filed a PIL in the Madras High Court, seeking the ban on the plea that the film portrayed Gandhi and Singh along with the villain, intending to defame them and the Congress.

The PIL, which is likely to come up for hearing on Tuesday, also sought Rs.50 crore from Rajnikant, film producer AVM Saravanan and Director Shankar as damages to the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee for 'defaming' the leaders in the movie.

He said the villain character, named Aadhikesavan, was the head of a private university and was shown exploiting the public by collecting crores of rupees as capitation fees.

He said the hero, who wanted to start a university to give free education, approaches the villain for guidance. In that particular scene, a photograph on the table showed the villain standing in between Gandhi and Singh, he said.

The petitioner contended that the photograph, which was shown four times in the movie, gave an impression that the villain belonged to the Congress party and the leaders were supporting his activities in exploiting the public.

The petition is yet to be numbered.