'MSG -- The Messenger of God', featuring controversial chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, in lead role will release on Friday.
The release of the movie was cleared by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal.
The Dera chief's film had earlier been denied certification by the Censor Board after committee members took exception to Ram Rahim Singh depicting himself as god in the film.
The movie has the controversial Dera chief -- who is facing cases of sexual abuse and murder -- in the lead role and portrays him as a swashbuckling hero fighting "social evils" in flashy costumes.
While the trailer has already garnered over a million hits on the popular video sharing site, YouTube; the same does not seem to be appealing to the authorities. Most of the board members showed concerns with the actor and Godman Baba Ram Rahim Singh doing miracles and performing acts to cure diseases in the film.
"It is highly controversial and can hurt sentiments of people, though in terms of graphics it is an amazing movie," board member Nandini Sardesai had said. "If a Batman or a Superman had done these stunts, we would have appreciated it, but he is a public figure and we cannot clear this move, so referring it to a tribunal."
Meanwhile, fearing communal flare-up during the screening of the movie, the Centre has asked all states to take every possible step to prevent any untoward incident as Sikh groups were against "glorification" of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief who is allegedly facing serious criminal cases.
In an advisory, the home ministry said inputs have been received that 'Messenger of God' is likely to be released on Friday."Various Sikh organisations and individuals are opposing the movie on the ground that its release would disturb the communal harmony and law and order.
They also opine that glorification of DSS chief, facing serious criminal cases,should not be allowed," the advisory said. The home ministry said tension between DSS followers and Sikhs always remain a potential flash point in view of ongoing rivalry between the Sikh and the Dera followers.
