Bombay high court does not immediately interfere with suspension of ‘Khalid Ka Shivaji’ release, but says filmmaker to be heard before any extension

Mumbai: Bombay high court did not immediately interfere with the Centre's month-long certification suspension of the film, ‘Khalid Ka Shivaji', but said that the filmmaker's representation should be heard before any further extension is contemplated.Supporting the order of suspension notified on Aug 20 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, state advocate general Birendra Saraf submitted before a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale that the film contained various historical inaccuracies about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.The order of suspension stated that the film shall be suspended for a month or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The film's director, Raj Pritam More, challenged the suspension order issued on Aug 7, which followed a notice of hearing citing complaints of alleged historical inaccuracies. The petition stated that the opportunity to respond was not in conformity with principles of natural justice and that the suspension "rests on speculative and vague assertions about public sentiments".The ASG, Anil Singh, said the petitioner was heard before the decision was made to suspend, but nevertheless, the director will be granted a hearing before any further suspension is considered.