February 13th, 2009
Ratlam: A local court has granted bail to Bollywood film 'Jab We Met' Director Imtiaz Ali, who was charged of portraying Ratlam as centre of prostitution in his film.
Ali appeared before Judicial Magistrate Geeta Solanki's court yesterday. The court granted bail to the accused on his furnishing a bail bond of Rs 5,000 with one surety of the like amount.
Advocate Yogesh Sharma filed a petition against Ali, and producer Ashtavinayak of the film for defaming the town by showing it as a hub for prostitution.
The Court had directed the production company and the director to appear in the court earlier. However, producers of the movie had appeared in the court and were granted bail but Imtiaz had failed to appear.
The court had issued arrest warrant against Ali on Dec 27.
Lead actors Sahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor were exempted from the case.
The date of next hearing was fixed on February 18.
Talking to the reporters, Ali said he did not nurture any intention to defame it.
He said he always watched Ratlam station on his way from Delhi to Mumbai and developed an urge to see it closely.
''Hence, when I was making the film I decided to include Ratlam Station in the script besides Bhatinda and Simla,'' Ali said claiming that he did not include any scene to defame the town.
Later, the director left for Indore to fly down to Mumbai.
