Abu Dhabi: The Indian Supreme Court has ordered on Wednesday to stay all criminal proceedings against Malayalam actress Priya Prakash Varrier and her team that grabbed international attention for the teaser song 'Mani Manikya Malaraya Poovi' from their film "Oru Adaar Love" (A Superb Love Story).
The top court also ordered that no new criminal action shall be initiated against the petitioners on the basis of the song, her lawyer told Gulf News from New Delhi on phone.
Our whole crew was tensed with so many cases being filed on us. We are really happy with the order of the Supreme Court. We are thankful to all the people who supported us and our film: #OmarLulu, director of 'Oru Adaar Love'. pic.twitter.com/DyslyeSxjn
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2018
“Although the court asked why the petitioners did not approach the High Court, they were satisfied with my reply that there are multiple proceedings in different states and therefore the intervention from the top court was essential,” said Haris Beeran, an advocate at the Supreme Court.
The court then issued an order that “any criminal action initiated against the petitioner on the basis of the promotional video Manikya Malarayi Poovi in the movie Oru Adaar Love shall remain stayed,” Beeran said.
The order gives relief to director of the film Omar Lulu against whom Hyderabad Police had registered a First Information Report (FIR) last Wednesday, based on complaints from local Muslims that the song hurt their religious sentiments, the lawyer said.
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Varrier and filmmakers approached the top court following the reports about the Hyderabad police issuing a notice to Lulu in the case.
Although some other complaints were also filed against Priya Varrier in Maharashtra, the police cannot file FIR now thanks to the court order, Beeran said.
Hyderabad police had sought explanation from Omar Lulu about alleged objectionable lyrics in the notice that was sent by post on Saturday, Times of India reported on Monday.
