The district administration of Aligarh on Monday said Bollywood film Aligarh has not been banned in the city, and that they have nothing to do with its release. The Hansal Mehta-directed film is yet to be released in the Uttar Pradesh town, even though it hit theatres across the country three days ago. The film is based on the true story of Professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras of Aligarh Muslim University, who allegedly committed suicide after being mercilessly hounded by a band of teachers and students for his sexual preferences.

“The movie is not banned in Aligarh. It is up to movie hall owners to screen the film. The administration has nothing to do with its release,” District Magistrate Dr Balkar Singh told Hindustan Times. Students of Aligarh Muslim University and the Millat Bedrai Muhim Committee had opposed the release of the film and sought a name change, citing that the film portrays the city in negative light. However, they held that they were not against the film in principle.