PTI 

New Delhi, May 18: The government will take a final view on the release of the controversial movie The Da Vinci Code on May 18 evening, by when it will receive comments from members of the Catholic-Christian community.

"We have seen the movie along with members of the community and they will be submitting their views to us by noon tomorrow, after which the "We have seen the movie along with members of the community and they will be submitting their views to us by noon tomorrow, after which the Central Board of Film Certification will be analysing them and coming out with a decision by evening," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said today.

Earlier in the day, the government had organised a special screening of the movie for Catholic-Christian organisations, who are demanding a ban on the film based on Dan Brown's novel that contends Jesus was a family man.

The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.

Based on Dan Brown's novel that suggests Jesus Christ married Mary Magdalene and started a family, the $125m movie stars Tom Hanks and is set for release in India on May 19.

The Da Vinci Code, a work of fiction, contends that the Catholic church had covered up Jesus' marriage to Mary Magdelene.

Dasmunsi said that neither the government nor the ministry would have any role to play in the release of the movie, which would be decided as per the feedback received from religious organisations.

Asked for his personal opinion on the film, Dasmunsi said as a "movie production" and a work of fiction, it was "okay".