Fearing protests Ram Rahim’s ‘MSG’ release stalled

Upcoming movie, MSG — Messenger of God, starring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, has failed to get a clearance from the Censor Board. The board has objected to the release of the film fearing a riot as it might hurt religious sentiments. The decision by the censor Board has come at a time when the movie was scheduled to be released on January 16.

As per sources, the Censor Board raised objections on the content of the movie and the manner in which Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh projected himself as a ‘Godman’. The Board’s revising committee refused to clear the movie saying that it is “too controversial” and “may hurt sentiments”. The film has now been referred to the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal in New Delhi.

The Dera chief said he was not averse to removing some scenes if the censor board objected to them. “If the board finds any portion of the film objectionable, I will happily get them removed. I have not showed myself as God but as a human. I have not criticised any religion in the film”.

No sooner the trailer of the movie was released that various radical groups in Punjab and Haryana had demanded a ban on the movie. MSG — Messenger of God is based on the theme of eradicating drug addiction, alcoholism, prostitution and other social evils, was scheduled to be released simultaneously in Hindi, English, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu.