The ‘faithful’ will watch Sacred Evil

The Bombay High Court on Monday directed producers of the film Sacred Evil to hold a preview of the film for members of the Catholic Social Forum and lawyer Gerry Coelho, who had filed a petition challenging the release of the film.

“The film’s producers have been asked to hold the preview on Wednesday. The CSF and Coelho will file their responses before the court on Thursday, a day before the film is scheduled to be released, said Jamshed Mistry, petitioner’s lawyer.

The petition filed by lawyer Gerry Coelho contended that granting certificate to the film, which is inspired by the life of high-profile Wiccan Ipsita Roy Chakraverti, was unethical and indecent on the part of the Censor Board and constituted total non-application of mind.

The objections raised by the petitioner were based on the film’s posters and promotional advertisements.

Stating that the publicity material of the film gave a distorted picture about the Christian faith, Coelho had written to the Censor Board on May 15 asking for a preview of the film by members of the Christian community.

The panel of Christians, said Coelho, could point the objectionable scenes, if any. This, he said, would help  avoid hurting religious sentiments of the community.

The film, starring Sarika, is a supernatural thriller that revolves around a Kolkata Convent, where a nun is possessed by an evil spirit and a witch is called to exorcise the spirit.

Its release, scheduled for May 19, has been postponed.