Release of 'Chori Chori' hangs in balance

The two accused, film financier Bharat Shah and producer Nazim Rizvi, yesterday claimed through their lawyers their rights over the release of the seized negatives of the controversial Hindi film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke even as the public prosecutor opposed it.

A special court is hearing an application filed by Shah seeking the release of this film which is now in police custody. Public prosecutor Rohini Salian opposed the release of the film to either of the two men who have been booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for their nexus with Karachi-based gangster Chhota Shakeel.

The prosecutor prayed for an appointment of a court receiver to release the film and deposit the proceeds of the film into government treasury since Rizvi had also told the police during interrogations that he, too, held the rights for the release of the film.

With both the accused making counter claims on their rights to the release of the film, it would not be appropriate to release the film to either of them, Salian said, especially since the police investigating their connections with the underworld don say that Shakeel had financed the film.

The prosecutor urged the court to give a ruling on the release of the film only after the completion of the trial so that no prejudice was meted to either Shah or Rizvi. Designated judge A.P. Bhangale adjourned the hearing until January 17 since Shah's counsel asked the court for time to file his submissions on the appointment of a court receiver.

Shah has claimed through his lawyers, Shiraj Rahimtoola and Vibhav Krishna, that his company Mega Bollywood had financed Rs12.7 crore for the film Chori Chori through cheques and that he held the world rights and copyright of the film.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai High Court adjourned Shah's plea for bail until today. Shah was arrested on January 8 under MCOCA and was taken to JJ Hospital the same night after he complained of chest pain. He was monitored for 12 hours before being taken back to police custody only to be re-admitted to hospital.

Apart from police conducting raids on Shah's home and offices, the Enforcement Directorate has also been searching this also conducted simultaneous raids at Shah's bungalow and office at Charni Road. The raids yielded little, it is learnt.