Web series crew accused of insulting Mahatma Gandhi

People walk on the road that is scattered with duplicate notes at Madhuban in Vasai East on Monday. Pics/Hanif Patel

A shoot has left the residents of Madhuban, Vasai East, fuming. They have accused the crew of insulting Mahatma Gandhi. On Monday morning, joggers found the road scattered with hundreds of duplicate Rs 2,000 notes with the portrait of Gandhi, which were used in the shooting of Shahid Kapoor-starrer web series on Sunday. Locals have demanded police action against those responsible.

Former Shiv Sena corporator Kiran Chendvankar told mid-day that the notes were used for an accident sequence of web series ‘Sunny'. She said, "After the accident [scene], a huge amount of duplicate notes got scattered on the road in Madhuban."

"The notes are duplicate and issued by Children Bank of India, but the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on them is original. The notes are scattered everywhere and people are forced to walk on them. It is an utter disrespect to the father of the nation, whose birthday we celebrated just a few days ago," she added.

Former Shiv Sena corporator Kiran Chendvankar shows some of the notes she collected from Madhuban

Dharm Singh Dhami, Hon Lt (retired), said people working in Bollywood must not forget to give respect to freedom fighters. During his morning walk, Dhami saw notes "all over the road". He said, "People were walking on it carelessly... I got very upset as it was an insult to Mahatma Gandhi."

Hoshiyar Singh Dasoni, another resident, said, "Shooting crews leave the area in a mess every time. The surroundings are littered with used water bottles, plates, napkins, cigarette butts, etc. The joggers have to suffer. "Yesterday [October 3], the shooting team left the roads littered with duplicate currency notes with the portrait of Gandhi... This was utterly shocking and disrespectful."

‘File an FIR'

"In the past, we have tried to tell the film crew to keep the area clean, but they just say they have permission for the shoot. No one from the administration monitors their activities... The administration must take action against the people who have deliberately insulted the father of the nation. How can they be so careless and leave the currency notes scattered to be trampled on the road? What are the police and the municipal corporation doing?" asked Dasoni. "Police must register an FIR against those involved in the activity and the culprits must be arrested," he said.

Chendvankar said many shoots take place in the Vasai-Nalasopara-Virar area which has many iconic places. "I have always raised a point in the budget for a provision for film crew to take permission from the municipal corporation's office...but my suggestion was never heard." At present, the film crew has to secure permission from the tehsildar office.

‘Notes still on road'

She also complained that no crew member was wearing a face mask on Sunday. "The accused must be booked within the ambit of law to set an example for others," she said. Many local residents said the notes are still scattered on the road.

Zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjay Kumar Patil said, "They had secured the permission for the shoot. Our inquiry is underway regarding the disrespect of Mahatma Gandhi."

"...We have shot this series with all due permissions and guidelines in place. We have a dedicated team that ensures no fake notes are left behind after each scene. We have the utmost respect for...Mahatma Gandhi and have absolutely no intent of disrespecting him," a spokesperson for the producers said.