The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to the subscription-based media platform Eros Now to stop the online streaming of a web series named “Modi – Journey of a Common Man” and remove all the content connected with the series till further orders. This series is based on the life of prime minister Narendra Modi, and it is described as a ‘hybrid of fact and fiction’ in its disclaimer.
Election Commission to Eros Now: It was brought to our notice that a web series “Modi-Journey of a Common Man, having 5 episodes is available on your platform. You’re directed to stop forthwith the online streaming & remove all connected content of the series till further orders pic.twitter.com/ofs0neJMc3
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019
The EC has ordered to stop the streaming of the 5-episode web series with immediate effect. “Modi – Journey of a Common Man” is a 10-episode web series, an original production on video streaming platform Eros Now, and the first five episodes of it were released on April 4. The series is directed by Umesh Shukla and written by Mihir Bhuta and Radhika Anand. The five episodes that have released covers Narendra Modi’s childhood, his initial years in RSS, and his involvement in protests against the emergency imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi. The series is based on a book by Kishor Makwana titled Common Man’s PM – Narendra Modi.
Election Commission states that any biopic material serving the purposes of any political party or leader which has the potential to disturb the level playing field should not be displayed. Therefore, Eros Now has been asked to stop streaming the series, remove the content, and also to submit a compliance report.
Recently, the EC had barred the release of actor Vivek Oberoi’s biopic inspired by the life of Prime Minister Modi claiming that it could pose a serious threat to the level playing field as it may create an impression of truthfulness. Interestingly, the biopic had received the go-ahead of the Supreme Court which had dismissed a petition seeking a stay on the release of the movie.
Apart from the Narendra Modi biopic, the poll panel had also stalled the release of two other films called NTR Lakshmi and Udyama Simham. NTR Lashmi is a movie based on former Andhra Pradesh NT Rama Rao and Udyama Simham is based on the life of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.
