Citing there are possibilities that the movie can trigger communal riots, the Karnataka government has banned the release of the Bollywood movie Hamare Baarah for two weeks.

The film is scheduled to release on June 7.

Directed by Kamal Chandra, the movie features actor Anu Kapoor in the lead role.

The petition is also applicable to the screening of the movie trailer on media outlets.

The June 5 government order came after petitions by several Muslim organisations alleged that the movie picturised the community in a “provocative and insulting manner”. The release of the movie was stalled under Section 15(1) and 15(5) of the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Act, reported The Indian Express.

According to reports, Actor  Manoj Joshi reacted to the development of the movie and said it was not made to target any religion.

Speaking to ANI, Joshi said, "I am an artist, I have done this film, but some people have opposed it. I am specifically saying that this movie was not made to target any religion. Today, there are discussions about the respect of women in our country. In any society, there should be no disrespect to women. A woman is not an object or a thing; she should be respected, as has been happening in this land of India. Secondly, that film talks about various topics such as education, upbringing, employment, women's respect and empowerment, and population. So, everyone should watch this film with their families."