Tamil version of 'Madras Cafe' yet to get clearance

The Tamil version of John Abraham-starrer "Madras Cafe" is yet to get a clearance for release from the Central Board of Film Certification, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court was told Wednesday.

The Hindi version of the movie releases Friday.

"A Madurai bench Wednesday observed that the Tamil version should not be released without an appropriate certificate. The case has been posted to Sep 3," petitioner B. Stalin told IANS.

Stalin, an advocate, had filed a PIL seeking a ban on the film, alleging that it contained "objectionable content" and might lead to law and problems if released.

The film came under the scanner after Tamil activists alleged that it portrays the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres as terrorists.

After attending a special preview of the Shoojit Sircar-directed film Sunday, the objection against the film by the groups grew stronger.

Tamil filmmaker Seeman, head of Naam Tamizhar (We Tamils) group, said the film was "nauseatingly anti-Tamil".

In a related development, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Tamil Nadu unit chief Pon Radhakrishnan said the movie should not be released in any part of the country.

Also featuring Nargis Fakhri, Rashi Khanna, Ajay Rathnam and Leena Maria Paul, "Madras Cafe" is a fictional story inspired by true events.

It is set against the Sri Lankan civil war and also depicts the 1991 assassination of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.