'Lakshmi's NTR' shows Naidu in bad light: TDP worker urges EC to stop release till polls

The Election Commission has forwarded the petition to stop the film’s release on March 22, to the state's Chief Electoral Officer for his consideration and necessary action.

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The Election Commission was Tuesday urged to stop the release of Telugu movie Lakshmi's NTR on the ground that this could impact the coming Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.

In his petition to the poll panel, Devibabu Choudhary, a worker of ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), sought orders to stop the controversial movie of well-known filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma which is slated for release on March 22.

Choudhary lodged a complaint against the film which is based on events that occurred in party founder and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N T Rama Rao's life after his second marriage.

He complained that the film has portrayed TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in negative light and this could influence the voters and demanded that the film's release be stopped till April 11.

The Election Commission has forwarded the petition to the state's Chief Electoral Officer for his consideration and necessary action.

Elections to the 175-member State Assembly and all 25 Lok Sabha seats are scheduled to be held on April 11 - in the first phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections.

Lakshmi's NTR is about NTR's second marriage to Lakshmi Parvathi, TDP's landslide victory in 1994 elections and the revolt and internal party coup led by his son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu in August 1995 and NTR's death a few months later.

Already, the film has seen a lot of controversy as a song released last year, titled 'Vennupotu' talks about backstabbing, with many saying that it suggested that Naidu was responsible for NTR’s death.

TDP members in their response, burnt photos and effigies of Ram Gopal Varma in front of the AP Film Chamber Hall in Vijayawada. They raised slogans against RGV, demanding that he pull down the song.

TDP MLA from Kurnool, SV Mohan Reddy, even filed a complaint against the director for 'defaming' Naidu. Hitting back, the director sent him a legal notice warning him of legal action.

IANS inputs