Actors cannot be held liable for the dialogues: Delhi HC on 'Sacred Games'

Produced by Reliance Entertainment and Phantom Films, Netflix's original web series ‘Sacred Games’ landed into legal trouble because of certain content used in the series which apparently seems to be insulting the image of former PM Rajiv Gandhi. A legal petition has been filed against the producers and actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui by the Congressmen.

Today in a hearing session, Delhi High Court announced, "Actors cannot be held liable for the dialogues". The court also said that since all the eight episodes have been aired already, no new episodes will be aired. The next hearing will be held on Thursday, July 19.

Netflix 'Sacred Games' case: Delhi High Court says actors cannot be held liable for the dialogues. All 8 episodes have already been aired. Nothing new will be aired. Court to now hear the matter on Thursday.

— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018

Commenting on the issue Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "BJP/RSS believe the freedom of expression must be policed & controlled. I believe this freedom is a fundamental democratic right. My father lived and died in the service of India. The views of a character on a fictional web series can never change that. #SacredGames."

BJP/RSS believe the freedom of expression must be policed & controlled. I believe this freedom is a fundamental democratic right.

My father lived and died in the service of India. The views of a character on a fictional web series can never change that.#SacredGames

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 14, 2018

To which Anurag Kashyap, who has directed the show with Vikramaditya Motwane wrote,"That's a yay..."

That’s a yay ... https://t.co/umv05MLJXc

— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) July 14, 2018

Not only the producer and directors of the web series but also many celebrities from the fraternity have appreciated Congress President for being progressive and understanding the basic fundamental rights.

Veere Di Wedding actress Swara Bhaskar, who usually raises her voice on such socio-political issues tweeted, "It is impressive that a mainstream politician like Rahul Gandhi is taking this clear and progressive stand on freedom of expression and censorship. Also, it's gracious and mature that he is able to set aside the personal for the larger goal of democratic rights. Credit where due."

It is impressive that a mainstream politician like @RahulGandhi is taking this clear & progressive stand on freedom of expression & censorship. Also it’s gracious & mature that he is able to set aside the personal for the larger goal of democratic rights. #CreditWhereDue 👏🏾👏🏾 https://t.co/cfEU0S2KaS

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) July 14, 2018

Film Neerja’s producer Atul Kasbekar wrote, “This mature view should hopefully now put to rest other easily outraged folks for any future 'transgressions and perceived insults'. Well done Mr. Gandhi."

This mature view should hopefully now put to rest other easily outraged folks for any future ‘transgressions and perceived insults’.
Well done Mr Gandhi 👍🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/C4ukr8UWBv

— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) July 15, 2018

Also Read: Sacred Games: Complaint Filed Against Nawazuddin Siddiqui For "Insulting" Former PM Rajiv Gandhi

However, Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar is not happy with Gandhi’s statement, he found it contradictory.

Bhandarkar took to Twitter, posted a video and tweeted, "Dear Rahul Gandhiji, here is a compilation of the harrowing experience I had when your party workers tried to police and control my freedom of expression during my film 'Indu Sarkar'. I was hounded at various cities to 5-star hotels to the censor board office. I requested for your support, but you didn't."

Dear @RahulGandhi ji here is a compilation of the harrowing experience I had when ur party workers tried to police & control my FOE during my film #InduSarkar I was hounded at various cities to 5 star hotel to the censor board office. I requested 4 ur support but u didn't. pic.twitter.com/1y93DgVOXm

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) July 15, 2018

Saif Ali Khan, Radhika Apte and Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer Sacred Games is based on novelist Vikram Chandra's novel with the same title. The show has few references to the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi-government, as well as the Bofors scandal and the Shah Bano case that created a storm during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister.