Daijiworld Media Network

Mangalore, Aug 17: ‘Not A Love Story’ by Ram Gopal Varma has faced several hurdles on its journey to the box office. The movie that is scheduled to release on Friday August 19 had stumbled upon yet another hurdle on its path.

Emile Jerome, the main accused in the murder of Neeraj Grover moved Bombay High Court on Tuesday August 16 for a stay on the film’s release. Earlier, Jerome had sent a legal notice demanding that Varma seek his consent before the release. He feared the film may have portrayed him in a negative light.

Varma argues in his defense saying, “My character doesn’t even have a naval background like Jerome. I’m within my legal rights to be ‘inspired’ by a real life event or person. We’ve been publicizing the film for six months now, these last-minute objections seem to be pressure tactics.”

The censor board too has cleared the movie to release on Friday.

Before going to the censors, Varma edited out some scenes and had even arranged for a special screening for Maria Susairaj, a Kannada actress and former fiancée of Jerome. Varma said, “I made no changes, that was irresponsible reporting. Yes, I’ve sent word to Maria, but there’s been no answer.”

Speaking about the movie, Varma said, “It’s a love story without a conventional hero and heroine, shot with 11 people, without lights and a Director of Photography (DOP). It’s been filmed by students of still photography and edited by them. That makes it truly path-breaking.”