Bollywood unites to sue two TV channels and their anchors

In an unprecedented move , the whole of Hindi film fraternity has come together against two news channels for their alleged defamatory and derogatory comments against Bollywood. A suit was filed at the Delhi High Court against the two channels, Republic TV and Times Now- by the cream of Bollywood, which includes Amir Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn , Anil Kapoor, Farhan Akthar, Kabir Khan among others.

The plaintiff also includes the names of The Film &Television Producers Guild of India (PGI), The Cine & TV Artiste, Association (CINTAA), Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC) and Screenwriters Association (SWA).

The stars and studios allege defamation during the channel’s coverage of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death and its aftermath.

A total of 38 industry bodies and production houses jointly filed a suit against the channels and four leading commentators for alleged “irresponsible,” “derogatory” and “defamatory” words and phrases used against the film industry.

The suit cites examples including: “dirt”, “filth”, “scum”, “druggies,” “it is Bollywood where the dirt needs to be cleaned”, “all the perfumes of Arabia cannot take away the stench and the stink of this filth and scum of the underbelly of Bollywood”, “this is the dirtiest industry in the country”, and “cocaine and LSD drenched Bollywood.”

The lawsuit also alleges that the news channels have been “openly flouting” India’s program code, which is part of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act.

“These defendants are conducting and publishing parallel private ‘investigations’ and effectively acting as ‘courts’ to condemn persons connected with Bollywood as guilty based on what they claim is ‘evidence’ found by them, thereby trying to make a mockery of the criminal justice system,” the suit states.

Rajput was found dead June 14, aged 34, at his Mumbai home. Speculation around his death led to a media frenzy with with some top Bollywood names including Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan being questioned on drug-related charges.

The lawsuit comes at a time when Republic TV is under investigation by the Mumbai police over accusations of manipulating television rating points.