3 theatres in Andhra Pradesh face trouble for screening Lakshmi’s NTR

The authorities in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, on Friday, suspended the licenses of three theatres for screening Lakshmi’s NTR in violation orders of the Election Commission of India.

Given the poll season, the election authorities had not given permission to release Lakshmi’s NTR in Andhra Pradesh on 1 May. However, ignoring the orders, the three theatres screened the film in the morning show on Wednesday. While the local revenue officers reportedly let off the theatres with a warning, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gopal Krishna Dwivedi said that stern action would be taken against the theatres.

“The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was violated in this case. The Election Commission had issued directions against the screening of the film until further orders. However, the film was screened in some theatres in Kadapa district in violation of the orders of the Election Commission and we will take action against those responsible,’’ Mr. Dwivedi was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

Following the CEO’s orders, the Joint Collector of Kadapa district Koteswar Rao ordered the officials to seize the three theatres for violating the orders. The theatres will not be allowed to screen any films now.

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, Lakshmi’s NTR hit the screens in Telangana and elsewhere last month. Starring Yagna Shetty and Vijay Kumar in the lead roles, the film has been the centre of several controversies given its storyline.