AMN / NEW DELHI / LUCKNOW
Political stir has erupted over the controversial film The Accidental Prime Minister, which is based on namesake book by former prime minister Manmohan Singh’s media adviser Sanjaya Baru.
The Controversy began soon after its trailer release on Thursday evening. While the BJP resorted to Gandhi-family bashing, the Congres termed it a ‘political propaganda’ timed keeping in mind the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
In Uttar Pradesh Congress workers have vowed to not let the film release in the state, putting up posters that claim Manmohan Singh has been projected in a bad light.
“Modi ji, people will vote for you based on your achievements in the last five years and not because you malign someone’s image. We will not let this movie release as it gives out a negative image of the Congress ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls,” read the posters that have been put up at various prominent junctions across Lucknow by Congress worker Rahul Awasthi.
The trailer of Vijay Gutte’s film, featuring Anupam Kher as Manmohan Singh, was launched on Thursday evening, after which it attracted heavy criticism from the Congress over “incorrect presentation of the facts.” The trailer shows Singh as the victim of the internal politics of the Congress ahead of 2014 general elections, which the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) lost.
Meanwhile former prime minister Manmohan Singh Friday refused to comment when asked by reporters for a reaction to the trailer of “The Accidental Prime Minister”, the film based on the eponymous book by his former media advisor Sanjaya Baru.
Manmohan Singh was accosted by reporters as he arrived at the Congress office for the party’s 134th anniversary celebration.
He paused before the mics, but moved away without a word as soon as the question was asked: “What do you think about the film made about you?”
The trailer of the film starring veteran Anupam Kher as the former prime minister, was launched yesterday and instantly caused a stir on social media. It showed scenes in which the soft-spoken former prime minister appeared to be under pressure from his party, especially then Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son and successor to the post, Rahul Gandhi.
BJP’s Twitter handle shared the trailer of the much-awaited film with the following caption,”Riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years. Was Dr Singh just a regent who was holding on to the PM’s chair till the time heir was ready? Watch the official trailer of #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister, based on an insider’s account, releasing on 11 Jan!”.
The post went viral immediately, though not for all the right reasons. Many on Twitter observed that the post was in poor taste and asked bythe ruling party was sharing Bollywood trailers
Riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years. Was Dr Singh just a regent who was holding on to the PM’s chair till the time heir was ready? Watch the official trailer of #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister, based on an insider’s account, releasing on 11 Jan! pic.twitter.com/ToliKa8xaH
— BJP (@BJP4India) December 27, 2018
The film’s trailer, which released on Thursday, shows Manmohan Singh as a victim of the Congress’ internal politics in the UPA-I and II. This prompted the Maharashtra Youth Congress to write a letter to the filmmakers, demanding a special pre-release screening of the movie, while threatening to protest against its release if this was not done.
Hours after the Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala dismissed reports that the Madhya Pradesh government is mulling a ban on Anupam Kher-starrer movie ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’, chief minister Kamal Nath also made it clear that he had no intention of banning any movie. “I don’t have any intent to impose a ban or any prohibition on any movie,” Nath was quoted as saying by a news agency.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot said the “propaganda” against the Congress and its party leaders would not work and the “truth shall prevail”.
Congress leader P L Punia said, “This is the handiwork of the BJP. They know that time has come to give answers after completion of five years and they are now trying to divert attention by raising such issues and evade answering to the public after its government failed on all fronts.”