Delhi HC dismisses plea to change title of Hansal Mehta's movie 'Aligarh'

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea of an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) seeking a ban or change in the name of the controversial movie 'Aligarh', a film based on the gay AMU professor.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath, rejected the plea saying that "no public interest is involved in this petition so it should be dismissed at the threshold itself."

"This is a personal grievance. We do not find a public interest, so we are not inclined to entertain this writ petition," the bench added.

The petition, filed by a Delhi-based lawyer Mohammad Ahsan Khan, had stated that the news and reviews of the movie, published in print and social media, was lowering the image of AMU and Aligarh City among the residents. He also argued that contents and name of the movie are not only defamatory to the students who have passed from Aligarh Muslim University but the same hurts feelings of the citizens of Aligarh and therefore the certification granted to the film is assailed.

The latest Bollywood flick directed by Hansal Mehta is based on the life of AMU professor Ramchandra Siras who was suspended from his job because of his sexual orientation. He later died in mysterious circumstances.

'Aligarh', starring Manoj Bajpayee, which released last week, focuses on the plight of the LGBT community.