Indo-Canadian MP objects to DVD release of her movie

A major controversy has broken out in Canada over a movie Kyo? Kis Liye, after actress and Indo-Canadian Liberal Member of Parliament Ruby Dhalla objected to the movie being released on DVD.

Dhalla, who acted in that film, claims that she never gave her permission for the DVD sales of the movie to producer Chiranjit 'Chico' Sihra.

Dhalla told rediff.com that she has objections about "misrepresentation by the producers of my image, name and involvement in the film."

She claims "the producers have super-imposed and doctored images of myself for their personal opportunistic gain."

Dismissing Dhalla's objections, Sihra plans to go ahead with the DVD release. "She willingly acted in the film and there are no explicit scenes.  It is a clean movie," he told rediff.com.

Dhalla became an MP in 2004, a year after Kyo? Kis Liye was made. "I am proud of my achievements as an actress and am honoured to have had the opportunity to work in films and television. I have worked very hard to get to where I am and I cannot allow people who are going to exploit me, who are going to be opportunistic, and basically use my name to make money," Dhalla told this correspondent.

Sihra decided a few months ago to distribute DVDs of the film. "When Ruby came to know about my intentions, she, with her mother and other family members, tried to dissuade me from doing so. I told her that there's nothing wrong with the film."

Dhalla then sent a letter to Sihra via her attorney Timothy Pinos.

'Miss Dhalla has not authorised the inclusion of her performances in the cinematographic work … and/or the distribution of still images, posters and/or promotional materials. Release of images, including altered still photos, would constitute publication of a likeness false and defamatory of her,' stated the letter from Pinos.

"Despite notices from lawyers, the producers continue to use my name, image and involvement without my consent. I have taken and will continue to take all necessary legal action to stop this opportunism, defamation, slander and exploitation by the producers," she noted. 

Sahira claims that he possessed the requisite consent form from Dhalla, but it was burnt during a fire.

In his response to Pinos, Sihra's lawyer Anthony Powell stated, "Your client willingly participated in acting in the film and she understood the film was going to be produced and sold commercially and added that Dhalla had 'waived any rights you allege she has.'

Kyo? Kis liye has been shown at the Albion Cinema in Toronto. It's a story of a husband who poisons his wife for insurance money.