HC suspends Ram Gopal Varma’s Vyooham Release

Renowned for his provocative cinematic style, Ram Gopal Varma finds himself entangled in a legal quagmire with the Telangana High Court stepping in to halt the release of his latest creation, ‘Vyooham.’ The controversy erupted when leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) filed a lawsuit, contending that the film posed a threat to the reputation of their party members.

Within the courtroom, a clash of arguments unfolded between RGV’s defense, led by Senior Counsel MP Niranjan Reddy, championing artistic freedom under the Constitution and underscoring the film’s endorsement by the Censor Board, and the TDP’s legal representation headed by Murali Dhar Rao. The latter claimed that ‘Vyooham’ aimed to smear the images of influential TDP figures such as Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh, and Pawan Kalyan, potentially swaying public opinion ahead of elections in Andhra Pradesh.

After thorough deliberations, the High Court voiced concerns about objectionable content within the film and its potential to impact elections adversely. Consequently, the court rescinded the film’s Censor Certificate, deferring its release until January 11. Simultaneously, the Congress party lodged a petition alleging defamation against Sonia Gandhi, urging a reevaluation of the film’s certification.

Amidst the legal fracas, calls for Ram Gopal Varma’s expulsion from the state gained momentum, fueled by apprehensions that ‘Vyooham’ could exacerbate political tensions. TDP protests escalated, with youth leader Ravipati Sai Krishna leading symbolic demonstrations, including a march where Varma’s poster was metaphorically adorned with slippers.

For those unacquainted with the case, Nara Lokesh, the general secretary of TDP, filed a petition imploring the High Court to revoke the censor clearance for Varma’s Telugu film ‘Vyuham,’ purportedly delving into the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh. Lokesh criticized the film for allegedly tarnishing the reputation of N. Chandrababu Naidu and the Telugu Desam Party.

Expressing concerns about the potential digital release of the movie, Lokesh signaled their intention to approach the civil court to avert such a scenario. He questioned Varma’s persistent focus on creating films against the TDP and Naidu, despite previous ventures of a similar nature faltering at the box office.