Kerala court stays release of Rang Rasiya

In a blow to makers of Bollywood movie ‘Rang Rasiya’, claimed to be based on the life of legendary 19th century Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma, a Kerala court has stayed the release of the film which was due to hit theatres on Friday.

The interim stay order was issued by the Mavelikkara munsiff court in Alapuzha district Tuesday on a complaint by Varma's granddaughter Indiradevi Kunjama.

Judge Prasun Mohan made it clear that the makers of the movie should not exhibit it without adding a disclaimer that the film has no connection with the personal life of Varma.

A munsiff court is the lowest court handling civil matters.

The Ketan Mehta directed film is based on Ranjit Desai's novel titled 'Raja Ravi Varma'.

Meanwhile, a PIL seeking a ban on the film has also been filed in the Kerala High Court. According to the petitioner, S Amrutha Kumar, the film portrays the artist as a womaniser and claims that it was a true story.

The petitioner pointed that a well known artist had been depicted as a playboy and the makers of the film have not even given a disclaimer. The film also violates provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, it alleged.