This Article is From Dec 07, 2011

Supreme Court to hear Dam 999's director's plea against ban in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will today hear an appeal by the director of the film Dam 999 challenging the ban on the release of the film by the Tamil Nadu government.

Director Sohan Roy, whose controversial film Dam 999 has been banned in Tamil Nadu said on Tuesday that he had nowhere in the film mentioned the name of Mullaperiyar, over which Tamil Nadu and Kerala are locked in a dispute.

Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode, Mr Roy said the ban which followed protests by political parties in Tamil Nadu, was a violation of his fundamental rights. "None of them have even seen the film," he said.

Mr Roy said the film was made with a social cause, describing the dangers outdated dams can cause across the world and to create awareness among people on the possible human disaster that could be caused by damage to such structures.

"There are nearly 64 outdated dams in the country which have completed over 100 years," he said.

To a query, he said his next project will be an action flick on Somalian pirates.

The AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu had banned the movie on November 24 on the grounds that it can disturb cordial ties with Kerala and create law and order problem.

Chief Secretary to the Tamil Nadu government Debendranath Sarangi had said the title 'Dam 999' seemed to refer to Mullaperiyar Dam (in which Tamil Nadu holds lease rights for 999 years).

(With PTI inputs)
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