Salman Khan’s and Katrina Kaif’s ‘Bharat’ in legal trouble, PIL filed against the title of the film for hurting patriotic sentiments

By Vandana Srivastawa

on May 30, 2019

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer Bharat is one of the year’s most anticipated films. The film is a period drama and has been in the news for quite some time, whether it was due to the exit of Priyanka Chopra who was the original female lead of the film or the fact that Salman would be seen in different avatars in the film right from a young man to an old veteran. However, now the film has garnered some negative publicity as well because a petition has been filed against Bharat in Delhi High Court for hurting patriotic sentiments.

Reportedly, the petition has been filed in Delhi’s High Court against the film’s name. As per the petitioner, the name of the film is against Section 3 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act. As per this Act that was passed in 1950 the word ‘Bharat’ cannot be used for any professional and commercial purposes. The petitioner has also objected to the use of a particular dialogue from the film and has asked it to be removed from the film as well.

A PIL was moved in Delhi HC, today, against Salman Khan's upcoming movie 'Bharat'. The petition says that the title of the film is in violation of Section-3 of Emblems & Names Act ( Prevention of Improper Use). according to which word 'Bharat' can't be used for commercial purpose pic.twitter.com/p3DRc4sIfg

— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2019

Apparently, the dialogue that Salman mouths where he compares his name to the name of the country has also been asked to be removed from the film. Although, the dialogue generated a lot of positive buzz around the film the petitioner has said that it has hurt the Bharatiya (Indian) sentiments. According to the Act, a person who uses the set of trademark, design, national emblem, official seal or pictorial representation of certain emblems and names is punishable under law.

Since the film is about to release on June 5 this last minute PIL against the title of the film and the dialogue may create a problem for Bharat. It will be highly interesting on what the Delhi High Court rules in the matter.

(Source: ANI)