'The India Story' in legal trouble; petitioner alleges misleading claims
What's the story
The upcoming film The India Story: Slow Poison In Progress, starring Shreyas Talpade and Kajal Aggarwal, has been hit with a legal notice, reported Bollywood Hungama. The notice alleges that the teaser and promotional material contain misleading and defamatory claims about India's agriculture, dairy, and poultry sectors. The complaint was filed by Bhavesh Sodha, proprietor of Agri Business Centre. The movie is set to release on July 24.
Notice specifics
Film presents Indian farming ecosystem as 'slow poison': Notice
The 18-page legal notice, sent by advocate Hiranya Pandey on Monday, June 15, alleges that the film presents India's farming ecosystem as a source of "slow poison" by raising issues such as pesticide usage, food adulteration, and cancer-related concerns. The complainant argues that these portrayals unfairly damage the reputation of millions of Indian farmers, dairy producers, poultry businesses, and agro-input suppliers. It also demands the immediate removal of the teaser from all digital platforms.
Objections
Pesticide usage, milk adulteration claims contested in notice
The notice disputes the alleged suggestion that India excessively uses pesticides, arguing that pesticide use per hectare in India is significantly lower than in several other countries. It also contests the movie's purported claim of widespread milk adulteration and objects to a scene depicting a syringe being injected into a dead chicken carcass, describing it as scientifically impossible and misleading. The complainant has further questioned the trailer's alleged attempt to link agricultural practices with rising cancer cases.
Compliance deadline
Notice sent to CBFC as well
A copy of the notice has also been sent to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The complainant has urged the board not to grant certification to The India Story, or review and withdraw it if already issued, until the misleading content is removed and substantiated. The notice gives the filmmakers seven days to comply with its demands. Failing that, civil and criminal proceedings may be initiated against them.