Narendra Modi biopic slammed as propaganda ahead of India’s mega elections

Critics have said the film PM Narendra Modi , which presents a flattering view of the prime minister, is an attempt to woo voters ahead of the almost six-week election

The film relates the leader’s childhood days selling tea to becoming chief minister of Gujarat, and leading the Bharatiya Janata Party to victory against the Congress in 2014 elections

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Biopic ‘PM Narendra Modi’ is slated to be released on April 5. Photo: Facebook

Published: 8:00am, 27 Mar 2019Updated: 8:31am, 27 Mar 2019

India’s main opposition Congress party has petitioned election officials to delay the release of a flattering new Bollywood biopic about Prime Minister Narendra Modi until after upcoming elections.

Critics have said the film, due for release on April 5, is blatant propaganda and an attempt to woo voters before polls open six days later in India’s almost six-week election.

Congress, which hopes to unseat Modi in the vote, said on Monday that screening the movie, PM Narendra Modi, would break election laws and that it should not hit cinemas until after voting ends on May 19.

“This is no artistic venture. It is a political venture and that is what we have told the Election Commission and should not be allowed,” senior Congress figure and former minister Kapil Sibal told reporters.

From left, Indian actor Suresh Oberoi, producer Sandip Singh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, actor Vivek Oberoi and director Umang Kumar. Photo: AFP

The movie relates the Hindu right-wing leader’s journey from his childhood days selling tea at a railway station to becoming chief minister of his home state Gujarat and leading his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a thumping victory against the Congress in 2014 elections.