The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stopped the release of biopic 'PM Narendra Modi' for the duration of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In its statement, the election body said that any material disturbing the level playing field in favor of any political party or individual should not be displayed. Opposition parties have been calling for a ban on the movie in view of Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The ECI said that it has also received complaints about 'NTR Laxmi' and 'Udyama Simham'.

"Any biopic material in nature of biography sub-serving the purpose of any political entity or any individual entity connected to it, which has potential to disturb level playing field during the election, should not be displayed in electronic media including cinematograph during the operation of MCC," the ECI said in its statement.

The ECI decision to ban the screening of PM Narendra Modi comes a day before its release. The biopic on PM Modi was supposed to be released on April 11 after earlier delays. The release of the film was deferred last week on grounds of pending certification clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which it secured yesterday. The original release date for biopic PM Narendra Modi was April 12. It was moved ahead to April 5 by the producers citing public demand.

Before the CBFC certification yesterday, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea filed by a Congress activist seeking a stay on the release of the biopic and asked him to raise the matter before the ECI. The Supreme Court said it dismissing the petition for the stay on the release of the film as it was "premature" since the movie was yet to be certified by the CBFC. The court said in its judgment that even if the film was released on April 11, it would be appropriate for the plaintiff to seek redressal from the Election Commission.

The Congress activist had sought a stay on the biopic's release till the completion of the Lok Sabha elections. In his plea, he had alleged that it was designed to "manipulate, influence and impress viewers and voters".