Indian High Court strikes down state's ban on pic

LONDON -- India's Supreme Court struck down a ban on "Aarakshan" (Reservation) on Friday. The court quashed the ban on the grounds that once a film is cleared by the central board of film certification, it is fit for public viewing and a ban is tantamount to censorship. The court also reprimanded the government of Uttar Pradesh for banning the film. Pic was banned in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh ahead of its Aug. 12 release for fear that it might incite inter-caste violence in India. The state of Maharashtra allowed its release after helmer Prakash Jha agreed to a few cuts. Punjab and Andhra Pradesh lifted their bans on Aug. 13 after Jha removed some dialogue that was objectionable to the governments of those states. However, Uttar Pradesh stood fast on its decision to ban the film and Jha moved the Supreme Court against this ruling. "I'm glad I decided to challenge the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to ban the film rather than bow down to it," Jha said in a statement. "This has been an important battle in making right to the freedom of expression a real right for the common citizens of India." The film released in other parts of India and in North America and the rest of the world as scheduled and has grossed $13 million in its first week. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com