High Court stops Vyooham release; all about the RGV directorial that led to the stay

Ram Gopal Varma, a filmmaker known for his controversial movies, finds himself embroiled in a legal tussle as the Telangana High Court intervenes to halt the release of his latest project, 'Vyooham.' The trouble arose when leaders from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) filed a lawsuit, alleging that the film tarnished the reputation of their party members.

Inside the courtroom, arguments ensued between RGV's defense, spearheaded by Senior Counsel MP Niranjan Reddy, advocating for artistic freedom under the Constitution and emphasizing the film's approval by the Censor Board, and the TDP's legal representation led by Murali Dhar Rao, claiming that 'Vyooham' aimed to discredit prominent TDP figures like Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh, and Pawan Kalyan, potentially influencing public opinion during elections in Andhra Pradesh.

Following deliberations, the High Court expressed concerns about objectionable content within the film and its potential to influence the elections adversely. Consequently, the court revoked the film's Censor Certificate, postponing its release until January 11. Concurrently, the Congress party filed a petition alleging defamation against Sonia Gandhi, urging a reassessment of the film's certification.

Amid the legal battles, demands emerged for Ram Gopal Varma's expulsion from the state, citing fears that 'Vyooham' might aggravate political tensions. TDP protests intensified, with youth leader Ravipati Sai Krishna leading symbolic demonstrations, including a march where Varma's poster was symbolically garlanded with slippers.

For those unfamiliar with the case, Nara Lokesh, the general secretary of TDP, lodged a petition urging the High Court to revoke the censor clearance for Varma's Telugu film 'Vyuham,' purportedly centered around the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh. Lokesh criticized the film for allegedly defaming N. Chandrababu Naidu and the Telugu Desam Party.

Expressing concerns about the potential release of the movie on digital platforms, Lokesh indicated their intention to approach the civil court to prevent such a scenario. He questioned Varma's recurrent focus on creating films against the TDP and Naidu, despite previous similar ventures failing at the box office.