Mastan row: daughter confronts Ekta,Suneil; Mirza moves HC

Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms and Shetty’s Popcorn Entertainment have produced the move.

Supariwala,who had filed a lawsuit at the civil court nearly three years back,at the inception stage of the movie,was on Tuesday present in court with her lawyer Munir Ahmed.

Supariwala said she wanted to know what commonality did the movie have with her father’s life and sought access to the prints before release,to ensure details of her father’s life had not been “misconstrued” .

“We submitted our affidavit in court today and the case has been adjourned to July 29. Our contention is the same as it was three years ago. If,in publicity,actors and Ekta Kapoor (Balaji Motion Pictures) claim the movie is based on Mastan’s life,then why don’t they allow us to a screening of the movie. After all,she is legal heir of his property and his blood relative. Why deny access to the movie before its released,” her lawyer said.

Ekta Kapoor,who had come to the court,chose not to speak on the issue saying “the matter is still in court”.

“I only want to see if they portrayed my father correctly and if they have not,then get particular scenes deleted,” said Supariwala. She took charge of her father’s political party after his death.

Quoting similar reasons,Mirza has also moved a petition in the High Court saying he be allowed to see the movie before its release. He had ben opposing its release. He said,“The film’s publicity material says it is based on Mastan’s life. Showing him as a gangster is defaming. Mastan was a social worker and looked upon as a godfather by the needy and a financial benefactor to many families.”

“I have moved the petition which will come up for hearing on Wednesday,” he said.

Balaji Telefilms had said the petition is an “afterthought and indicates it is filed with a view to extort from them”.

Mastan died a natural death in 1994. It is alleged he had taken over the reins of a smuggling ring in the city in the 1970s.

Since the hearing in Supariwala’s case will be on July 29,the situation might not allow the production house to conduct paid previews or a soft release planned earlier.

Ekta Kapoor refused to comment on the plans but a source close to the production house said they might have to cancel the preview screenings.