India stops release of biopic on PM Modi ahead of polls

In this April 8, 2019 photo, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming general elections in New Delhi, India. AP

NEW DELHI, India— Indian election authorities have stopped the release of a Bollywood biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi with national elections scheduled to begin on Thursday.

The Election Commission accepted arguments from the Congress party and other opposition parties that the release of the film, “PM Narendra Modi,” would give an unfair advantage to Modi’s Hindu nationalist party as it seeks re-election.

Film producer Sandip Ssingh had scheduled the release of the movie in Indian theaters for Thursday.

The commission ruled Wednesday that any biopic material that has the potential to create an uneven playing field during the multi-phase election should not be displayed in electronic media.

Voting in the election will conclude May 19, and vote counting will begin May 23. /ee