(Image source from: Telegraphindia.com)

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday has put an end to speculations and debates over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s biopic by banning the release during the election period.

Titled PM Narendra Modi, the Omung Kumar-directorial features Vivek Oberoi in the titular role.

Saying that political biopics pose a threat to the level playing field during elections, the EC also banned the release of Udyama Simham, a biopic of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Set to be released on April 11, PM Narendra Modi has been criticized by the opposition parties, who claim that the biopic could give undue advantage to the Bharatiya Janata Party in the elections as it will arrive in theaters before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition filed by a Congress activist seeking a stay on the film's release, saying the Election Commission would be an "appropriate" place to seek the redressal. The Central Board of Film Certification, on Wednesday, issued a 'Universal' certificate to the film.

The Election Commission has banned the release of any political biopic during the seven-phase polls which begin on April 11 and continue till May 19.

-Sangam Sowmya