New Delhi: Aamir Khan’s ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ and Taapsee Pannu’s ‘Shabaash Mithu’ could not create any magic at the box office. While ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ has collected Rs 56.70 crore in two weeks with a five-day weekend while lifetime collection of ‘Shabaash Mithu’ is just Rs 2.23 crore.
While ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ has been surrounded by controversies, and calls for bans even before its release, ‘Shabaash Mithu’ had a quiet release. -Both the films have now landed in trouble as a complaint has been filed against them for allegedly ridiculing differently-abled people.
According to PTI, a complaint has been filed in the court of the commissioner for persons with disabilities against Bollywood films “Laal Singh Chadha” and “Shabash Mithu” for allegedly ridiculing differently-abled people.
Complainant Dr. Satendra Singh, the co-founder of Doctors with Disabilities who also suffers from 70 per cent locomotor disability, has shared a copy of the notice issued by the court of commissioner on his complaint, PTI has reported.
However, the social justice and empowerment ministry received no confirmation on the matter.
According to the notice, the court of commissioner for persons with disabilities has sought comments from the directors of “Laal Singh Chadha” and “Shabash Mithu”, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the Union information and broadcasting ministry on the matter.
The complaint alleges that the films violate provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 through demeaning remarks against specially-abled people.
Earlier, former England international cricketer Monty Panesar had asked people through Twitter to boycott ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ over the misrepresentation of facts concerning the Indian army and the Sikhs.
Drawing comparisons between Laal Singh as a character and that of Forrest Gump, the left arm spinner said, “Forrest Gump fits in the US Army because the US was recruiting low IQ men to meet requirements for the Vietnam War. This movie is total disgrace to India Armed Forces Indian Army and Sikhs !! Disrespectful. Disgraceful.”
He also shared the list of titles of honour that have been won by Sikhs who served in the Indian army and called ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ ‘disgraceful and disrespectful’.
(With inputs from PTI)