Ban sought on release of 'Dum Maro Dum'
A petition, filed before the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court here has sought a ban on the release of Rohan Sippy's forthcoming movie 'Dum Maro Dum', which has raised much stink in the tourist state.
Savio Rodrigues, a media professional, who moved the Court has pleaded that the release of the movie should be banned as it will have a ripple effect on the state's tourism.
The petitioner has also said that the movie portrays Goa as a destination of sex, drugs and easy availability of women.
"The film is scheduled to be released on April 22, 2011 and given its publicity by the producers, the film will attract criminal minded tourists and offenders and drive away decent travelers and tourists from Goa," the petitioner said.
The bench will hear the petition on Thursday. It names State Chief Secretary, Chairperson Central Board of film certification, M/s Fox Star studios Pvt Ltd and M/s Ramesh Sippy Entertainment as the respondents.
Rodrigues said the movie is against public order, decency and morality and there is clear violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution of India to Goans.
The petitioner also stated that over a period of years, Goa has been receiving negative global publicity on account of issues relating to drugs, sex and murder in some cases of international tourists.
"Goa has been portrayed in media and in the said movie in particular so as to depict it as destination of drugs and sex, both of which are claimed to be easily and freely available in this state," it adds.
This wrong depiction is attracting and shall attract persons who are drug addicts, paedophiles, sex offenders, drug traffickers and persons engaged in trafficking of children and women, he claimed.
Former tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco also raised the issue during the ongoing state legislative assembly session.
Goa tourism minister Nilkant Halarnkar had told the House that the government will 'seriously' take up the issue with the producer.
