Vivek Oberoi: Didn’t think that a simple, humble movie would intimidate powerful people
Vivek Oberoi opens up on case against PM Modi's biopic
A plea filed against the release of the film ‘PM Narendra Modi’ will be heard in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Actor Vivek Oberoi who stars in and as the current PM in the film spoke about the impending case and his political ambitions to WION in an exclusive conversation.
On his film facing roadblocks and release date having been shifted from April 5 to 11 (tentatively), Vivek said, “It’s a passion project, something that’s taken an entire team to put this together at this scale. But then to meet this resistance, to be labelled, targetted, attacked -- its painful. I didn’t think that a simple, humble movie would intimidate powerful and important people that they would go all out to get it to shut down. When the High Court supported us on this, they took it to it the honourable Supreme Court.”
Being hopeful for a positive outcome, he said, “There’s a bunch of crazy resources thrown at us. I believe that the fundamental right of freedom to speech and expression will be upheld by the Supreme Court. I believe we will get their blessing and we will release, this time around on the 11th of April.”
Questions have been raised on why the film has been scheduled for a release during the time of elections, Vivek defended the maker’s stance and said, “It's my fundamental right as a filmmaker to make a film that I believe in and to release it at the time when I want. Nobody questions when a film is released on Eid, Christmas or Diwali, then why am I being questioned if I want to release a film on election? Those are festivals that come every once a year, this is a festival that comes every 5 years. It’s a festival of democracy.”
The actor also clarified that the makers went through all formalities to ensure that the film would not face any issue. He said, “The Election Commission has cleared us. We have been through every single due diligence, every single process. We have submitted all (documents) for financial scrutiny and have submitted all that was required. It’s an independent project. After getting clear, there have been these insults and accusations are being hurled left, right and centre.”
He continued, “It’s shocking that people with such gravitas, high political standing that you look up to would turn around and throw baseless allegations at you -- at you being some stooge, prop up or back channel funding and random stuff like that. It’s pretty sad.”
Vivek did not dodge any questions and was sporting when asked if this was all being done at the time of elections because he has some political ambitions, of contesting elections or campaigning this time around. He laughed and said, “Right. Let’s put into perspective. Why would I want to be an MP, when I can be the PM on screen?”
As for the case, the petition was filed by Congress spokesperson and lawyer Aman Panwar in the Supreme Court. Also, the EC has been made a party in the plea filed as they fear that the film release will "disturb" the level-playing field for candidates in the Lok Sabha polls.
The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls begin on April 11 and ends on May 19.