IAS officer DK Ravi's parents knock on K'taka HC door against release of 'Chambal'

Bengaluru: The parents of IAS officer D.K. Ravi, who died under mysterious circumstances in 2015, have approached the Karnataka High Court against the release of Kannada movie 'Chambal’, directed by Jacob Varghese, which stars Sathish Ninasam, Sonu Gowda and others in the lead. They alleged that the movie projects their son in a bad light and the screening should be stopped before its release across the state this Friday.

After hearing the petition, the High Court on Tuesday ordered issue of notices to the Union government's Secretariat of Department of Publicity and Information, state Home Department, the Regional Officer, Central Board of Film Certification, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, the makers, distributors and lead artistes.

Ravi’s parents, Gowramma and Kariyapppa – residents of Doddakoppal in Tumakuru district, sought directions to the Central Board of Film Certification to withdraw its certificate for the movie’s release.

They alleged that the movie is reportedly based on the life of their son Ravi, who was an upright officer, and shows him in bad light. Allowing the screening of the movie will defame the image of Ravi before the public, their petition states.

They stated that Ravi quit his job as an excise sub-inspector and took up UPSC exams, clearing it with an all-India rank of 34 in 2008. He earned immense respect for his honest and public-friendly administration during his tenure in various places and positions across the state.

Following the suspicious death of Ravi, there were attempts to cash in on his popularity by making a feature film around his life for financial gains, the petition states. Ravi’s parents submitted that they recently learnt about the film and when they approached the makers, no preview was arranged for them. The film body too did not act on their representations, prompting them to approach the High Court, the plea stated.