A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Madras High Court against a scene in the Tamil film Merlin for a dialogue which the petitioner has deemed derogatory to women.

According to reports, Praveena Charumathi Sampathkumar filed a PIL against a dialogue in the film where a priest says that not only are women likely to be possessed by ghosts, but that one of the major reasons behind this was them not having sex.

Praveena found the dialogue disrespectful to women. Her counsel S Silambu Selvan argued that the under the sections 2(1) and 5(E) of the Cinematograph Act, women characters should not be degraded in any form. If they are, it would be an offence under Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act.

The film, which hit the screens on February 23, was given a ‘U’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification. The PIL seeks the removal of the scene in question.

Praveena said that she was shocked to find such a dialogue in a ‘U’ rated film. She had reportedly approached the CBFC with a written presentation regarding the scene previously. After receiving no response, she decided to move the Madras High Court and file a PIL.

Silambu also argued that the CBFC had given the rating to the film without taking into consideration the law, and that the scene should be removed from the film.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose had issued a notice to the CBFC about the PIL.

The matter has been posted for hearing on March 16.

Merlin has been produced by JSB studio. A Keera directorial, it stars Vishnu Priyan and Ashwini Chandrashekhar in pivotal roles.