MUMBAI: Parzania, based on a true-life incident, has not been released in Gujarat. Jointly produced by K.B. Sareen, Kamal Patel and Rahul Dholakia, the film is directed by Dholakia.

It stars Naseeruddin Shah, Sarika, Corin Nemec, Parzaan Dastur, Raj Zutshi amongst others.

Despite repeated attempts, Dholakia was unavailable for comment.

Sources close to the development, however, inform, “The film has shades of Ahmedabad riots. It is based on Godhra incident. The film was completed in 2003, but it had to face censorship problems. Many of the distributors showed sympathy but nobody backed it except for PVR exhibitors. The film is banned in Gujarat. The Modi government is against the film, saying that the film may create communal disharmony. There are some organizations too voicing concerns. The multiplex owners too do not want this film to be screened.”

He further adds, “The producers are releasing the film through Sareen Picture Classic; in Bombay circuits and other areas. Around 20 – 30 prints are being released. The film is currently screened at New Empire (one show), Inox (two shows), Metro Adlabs (one show), Suburbia (two shows), Gemini (one show), PVR Juhu (one show), Cinemax Versova (one show), Fun Republic (one show), Movie Time, Goregaon (two shows) and Fame Malad. In Pune three prints are released. In Indore (C.I.) and Hyderabad, PVR is screening one show each. In Chennai, Studio-5 is screening one show.”