Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 7, 2014)

After a litigation-littered journey, Gulaab Gang has finally kept its date with the audience. A division bench of the Delhi High Court lifted the injunction on the film’s release on Thursday.
 
The judgment came just a day after the same court had stayed the release of the Madhuri Dixit-Juhi Chawla starrer, based on a plea filed by activist Sampat Pal Devi, who claimed that the film was based on Gulabi Gang--the group of women vigilantes lead by her--and portrayed her in a negative light.

The producers of the film had then filed an appeal against the single judge’s order after which the court green-lighted the film’s release.

But the court drama is far from over; next date of hearing, in the case brought by Pal, is set for March 10. 

Talking from Delhi airport after the hearing, the film’s producer Anubhav Sinha said: “After the stay on Wednesday I did not sleep a wink. I’m glad our film is finally releasing on the intended day and I am thankful to industry members like Shah Rukh Khan, Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt, for their unconditional support.”

Although he remains tightlipped about how the stay was lifted, sources tell Mirror that Pal’s lawyers couldn’t explain why they had dragged the film to court just two days before its release. “And they don’t own any copyrights over women wearing pink sarees,” added the source.

When we contacted Pal’s lawyer, Kush Sharma, who in an interview to Mirror (on March 6), had stated that they will not let the film release before May 8, said: “It’s a judicial process and nobody can stop anyone from availing their rights. We’ll wait till the next hearing, which is scheduled for March 10.”

When we raised the subject of the next hearing with Mushtaq Sheikh, the film’s co-producer, he said: “I do not want to think that far ahead. I am just relieved that we could release our film on the scheduled date.”
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Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; March 7, 2014)

The Delhi High Court lifted the stay on Anubhav Sinha’s film, Gulaab Gang, on Thursday. It has allowed the release of the film that is slated to hit the big screens today. The film’s distributors have now agreed to insert a disclaimer in the film.

It may be noted here that Sampat Pal, leader of Gulaabi Gang — a group of women vigilantes from north India — had filed a case against the filmmakers for not taking her permission before making the film. Pal had moved the Delhi High Court on Tuesday seeking a ban on the film; she alleged that the film was inspired from her life and that certain scenes in the film may adversely affect her image. She had also demanded compensation.

However, the makers of the film have maintained that the film is a work of fiction and is not based on any reallife person. The Delhi High Court had earlier stayed the release of the film till May 8, following which Gulaab Gang’s makers filed an appeal on Thursday morning. Girish Johar, head-distribution and acquisition, Sahara Movie Studios, told hitlist, “We are going ahead and releasing the film as per the court’s orders.” On the other hand, Pal was disappointed by the court’s decision. She said, “Garibon ki koi sunwayee nahi hain (no one listens to the poor).” Her lawyer, Kush Sharma, said that they won’t lose hope. “We would not like to divulge any details, but the next hearing of the case is on Monday.”

Gulaab Gang, starring Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla, will release across the country in 1600 screens today. The film released in the overseas market on Thursday.