A day ahead of its scheduled release date the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday stalled the showcasing of PM Narendra Modi the biopic on the incumbent Prime Minister until the Lok Sabha elections are over. The poll body said that the film “disturbs the level-playing field.” It also said that any complaints in this regard would be examined by a panel headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge.

The film starring Vivek Oberoi in the titular character has been courting controversies ever since it was announced. The opposition alleged that the film violated the Model Code of Conduct and was aimed at swaying the 2019 elections in the favour of the BJP. The fact that its release date coincided with the beginning of the first phase of voting in the elections is another reason why it was facing the ire of the opposition. A Congress delegation comprising senior party leaders such as Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi had even moved ECI to stop the film’s release.

Interestingly the Supreme Court of India had on Tuesday dismissed a petition by a Congress activisit seeking a stay on the release of the film. The top court had called the matter a “non-issue.” It had also said that it was for the ECI to decide whether or not the film tilted the balance in favour of the BJP.

Vivek who has been hogging the limelight for his portrayal of the PM had earlier targetted the Congress saying “if they are scared of the film or of Chowkidar’s danda.”

To this the party had said that the biopic was a “bogus film of a flop hero a flop producer and is made on a flop person who has proved to be a zero.”

The film is directed by Omung Kumar of Mary Kom fame.