The ZEE5 documentary, initially titled Lawrence of Punjab, may finally get a release after the Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside the Centre's advisory against it.
The show, based on the rise of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was stalled due to law-and-order concerns, but the High Court has issued directions to its makers to remove references to 'Lawrence' and 'Punjab' from its title.
The High Court also observed that the docuseries does not appear to glorify any individual, paving the way for its release.
The controversy surrounding the docuseries began after Punjab Advocate General M S Bedi opposed its release, contending that it could negatively influence youth by normalising organised crime.
The Centre had issued an advisory against releasing the docu-series, citing the Punjab Police's apprehension that it posed a significant risk to public order.
The show's original title was a play on the Oscar-winning classic Lawrence of Arabia, and it 'traces the journey of a criminal identity through the lens of culture, systems and visibility'.
