Case in Madras High Court against song in actor Santhanam's movie DD Next Level
The Madras High Court on Thursday (May 15, 2025) wanted to know whether the producers of actor Santhanam's upcoming movie Devil's Double Next Levelwould be willing to delete or mute an objectionable portion of the lyrics and tune in the film's song titled 'Kissa 47'.
A summer vacation Bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan directed advocate Vijayan Subramanian to obtain instructions from the producers by Thursday, as the movie was slated to be released in theatres on Friday (May 16, 2025).
To get today's top stories from the State in your inbox, subscribe to our Tamil Nadu Today newsletter
The time was granted during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, which sought a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to revoke the censor certificate until the producers delete the song 'Kissa 47', which reportedly had objectionable references to the phrase 'Govinda, Govinda.'
Later in the day, Mr. Subramanian returned to state that the producers had decided to mute the objectionable tune and delete certain lyrics. After recording his submissions, the judge adjourned the hearing to Friday for senior counsel Sricharan Rangarajan, representing the PIL petitioner, to verify the statement.
What did the PIL plea say?
In his affidavit, the petitioner, M.G.D. Balaji, 49, an advocate from Old Washermanpet in Chennai, stated that he is a devout Hindu and a follower of the Vaishnava tradition. He said he recently came across a YouTube video of a press meet for actor Santhanam's upcoming movie, popularly known as DD Next Level, which is scheduled to be released in theatres on Friday.
Subsequently, he heard one of the songs of the movie and found that the lyrics had been borrowed from a popular devotional hymn titled 'Srinivasa Govinda, Srivenkatesa Govinda', sung in praise of Lord Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the Tirumala Tirupati Temple. He complained that the tune of the hymn had been used in a 'very strange and inappropriate context' in the song.
Stating it had hurt his religious feelings, the petitioner said, the word 'Govinda' too had been used in a demeaning manner in the song. He also expressed surprise over the CBFC having issued a U/A certificate for the movie without insisting on deleting the song with such objectionable references.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
15 minutes ago
- News18
Ranbir Kapoor To Yash And Sunny Deol; Who Plays What In Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana
Last Updated: Ramayana Movie Cast: Shooting for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is currently underway. While Ranbir Kapoor has already completed his portions of the film, Yash is now shooting. Ramayana Movie Cast: Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is one of the most awaited movies. It is no secret that the film will be released in two parts in 2026 and 2027, respectively. While the shooting of Ramayana is currently underway, do you know who will play what in this adaptation of the Hindu mythological epic? Worry not, we have got you covered. Here is the entire list of the Ramayana cast: NAME OF THE ACTOR ROLE IN RAMAYANA Ranbir Kapoor Ram Sai Pallavi Sita Yash Ravana Sunny Deol Hanuman Ravie Dubey Laxman Kajal Aggarwal Mandodri Rakul Preet Singh Surpanakha Lara Dutta Kakeyi Vivek Oberoi Vidhyutjiva Arun Govil Dashrath Kunal Kapoor Lord Indra Adinath Kothare Bharat Sheeba Chaddha Manthara Indira Krishnan Kaushalaya Before Sai Pallavi, Alia Bhatt was being considered for the role of Sita in Ramayana. However, she backed out of the project due to date-related issues. It was later confirmed that Sai Pallavi will be essaying the role of Sita in the movie. Shooting for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is currently underway. While Ranbir Kapoor has already completed his portions of the film, Yash is now shooting for his part in Mumbai. Reportedly, the film is being made on a whopping budget of Rs 835 crore. Just a few days back, it was also revealed that Ranbir and Yash will barely be seen sharing screen space together in Ramayana. According to sources close to the production, 'The makers have chosen to stay true to the original Valmiki text, where Lord Ram and Raavan do not encounter each other through most of the epic. Their worlds remain apart, their stories unfolding in parallel until destiny brings them face-to-face in the climactic battle. As per the original narrative, Ram learns of Raavan's existence only after Sita's abduction, and the two never meet until the battlefield confrontation in Lanka." Meanwhile, several media reports also suggest that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared the first promo of Ramayana. The 2-minute-36-second promo has received a 'U' certificate from the Mumbai Regional Office of the board. However, official confirmation regarding this is still awaited. First Published:
Pink Villa
3 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Why has Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan rented another Rs 1.35 lakh flat? Details inside
It is not a hidden fact that Shah Rukh Khan and his family are not living in their iconic Mumbai abode, Mannat, now. This was after their residence went under renovation earlier this year. The residence was also home to several staff members who took care of the Khan family. And now, the latest reports suggest that Gauri Khan has rented a flat for her staff members in Mumbai's Khar area. As per reports derived from by News 18, it is said that Gauri has rented a flat for Rs 1.35 lakh in Pankaj society for her staff members. This society is located in one of Mumbai's well-known residential spots and is just 100 metres away from another duplex apartment she had rented right after Mannat went under renovation. The reports further reveal that the rented flat is on the 4th floor of the building and it is around 725 sq ft. It has been rented from Sanjay Kishor Ramani, and apart from the rent, a security deposit of Rs 4.05 lakh is also paid. Reportedly, this agreement is for 3 years and promises a 5 per cent rent hike every year. Earlier, there were reports that Shah Rukh Khan's wife has rented two duplexes in Khar's Pali Hill for Rs 8.67 crore. This is also for 3 years. The renovation work had landed the Khan family in trouble somewhere around March. According to a report by Bar & Bench on Monday, activist Santosh Daundkar had filed a plea with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), claiming that Shah Rukh Khan and the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) did not secure the necessary Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the renovation of Mannat. Given that the bungalow is classified as a Grade III heritage structure, any modifications require official approval. The report also stated that Khan intended to add two additional floors to his six-storey bungalow. It also alleges that he converted twelve 1-BHK flats, originally designated for mass housing, into a single-family residence. Talking about his work front, Shah Rukh Khan is all geared up to shoot for King, which will also star his daughter Suhana Khan and Deepika Padukone.
NDTV
16 hours ago
- NDTV
Sunita Ahuja Blames Govinda's "Wrong Circle" For Career Downfall
New Delhi: Being a '90s icon is no small deal. But staying one in 2025? That's a different ballgame. And if there is one person who has been saying it like it is – without filters – it is Govinda's wife, Sunita Ahuja. In a candid chat with The Powerful Humans, Sunita did not hold back while addressing why the Hero No.1 star has been MIA from the big screen for so long. And let us just say, the blame did not fall on the star or bad luck. It fell right on the people in his corner. 'Why hasn't Govinda been seen on the big screen for the past 17 years?' she questioned, before answering it herself. 'Because the circle around him is completely wrong. Sab wah-wah karne waale log hain.' According to Sunita Ahuja, these are not the kind of voices that help an artist evolve. In fact, she admitted that these people have even sparked fights between her and Govinda. ' Mera aur Govinda ka jhagda bhi hojaata hai kyunki main naa jhooth nahi bol sakti aur chaplusi nahi kar sakti [Govinda and I also end up having arguments because I just can't lie or flatter anyone]," she said. Sunita painted a pretty clear picture of the people surrounding him – a writer, a secretary and a friend-like lawyer — all of whom she believes are doing more harm than good. ' Wah Chi Chi bhaiya kya kamaal kardia [Wow, Chi Chi Bhaiya, what an amazing job you have done],' she mocked their sycophantic praise. ' Abey tu sach toh bol. Hum sach bolte hain to chidhta hai voh [Oh come on, be honest. When I speak the truth, he gets irritated]," she added. As per Sunita, it is not just Govinda's company that has her worried. It is his mindset. Govinda's wife, who now lives with the actor in the US, also shared that she has been pushing him to evolve with the times. Her advice? 'I told him, the 90s are over. It's 2025 now. Look at what's working today – Netflix and OTT platforms," Sunita revealed. Sunita also addressed a key myth that seems to have built up around Govinda over the years – that solo-hero films are his forte. But she called out this idea too. 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan wasn't a solo-hero film. Aankhen wasn't either. The people around him planted this myth in his head: 'Sir, you're Hero No.1—your film will definitely work!' But where do solo-hero films work today?" she asked. Sunita stated that what Govinda needs now is not more flattery, but solid scripts, a great director and a team that is not afraid to tell him the truth. Govinda and Sunita Ahuja got married in March 1987. The couple are proud parents to a daughter, Tina, and a son, Yashvardhan. Govinda was last seen in Rangeela Raja, a 2019 comedy film. The film had him in a double role and was directed by Sikander Bharti.
