The Delhi High Court on March 05, 2014, stayed the release of forthcoming film Gulaab Gang, which is reportedly based on the life of activist Sampat Pal. The film was set for release on March 07, 2104.
Sampat Pal, who formed Gulabi Gang, a group of pink sari clad women vigilantes in Uttar Pradesh, caught the public eye when she entered Bigg Boss Season 6.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva has stayed the release of Gulaab Gang that stars Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla and said that if it is allowed to be released it will cause irreparable damage to the reputation of Sampat Pal.
“Reputation once lost is lost forever and can not come back and even can’t be compensated with monetary terms,” the court said.
Sampat Pal moved to the high court seeking a restraining order on the release of Gulaab Gang, saying the filmmakers did not take her permission before making the movie, which shows her in bad light.
She alleged that the lead actress, Madhuri Dixit, essaying her character was shown in bad light in the promos of the film, which will thus affect her reputation.
The producers of Gulaab Gang argued that Sampat Pal‘s intention from the start was to derail the film’s release at the last moment as she took no action between the sending of a cease and desist notice in June 2013 to the filing of the plea to stay the release now.
The producers offered to run a disclaimer at the start of the film, Gulaab Gang, specifying that the incidents depicted in it are not related to Sampat Pal.
The court rejected the offer but did question Sampat Pal about the delay in filing the plea, asking: “Why you approached the court last minute when movie is going to release? Why didn’t you come earlier?”
Sampat Pal was present in court, dressed in the pink sari that has come to symbolise her group. Gulab Gang is actively involved in fighting social injustices against women, at times, adopting unconventional means.
Gulaab Gang is directed by debutant Soumik Sen and produced by Anubhav Sinha.
