The Punjabi Cultural Heritage Board and members of the Sikh community held a demonstration on Thursday against the film Santa Banta Pvt Ltd , which releases Friday. They demanded the film not be released for its “indecent, immoral portrayal of the community” and alleged it can hurt the feelings of the community at large and can also be a potential danger to public order.

At the protest held outside the Vile Parle office of the film’s producer, Viacom 18, community members said it was evident from the film’s posters and trailers that it was based on the Sikh community, and that it mocks their ideals and projects them as immoral.

The Punjab Cultural Heritage Board had earlier filed a petition in the Bombay High Court asking for a stay on the film’s release, which the court refused.

On April 19, the Delhi High Court had asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to hear the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) in this connection. The issue was also brought up before the Supreme Court, which asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) counsel that he could file a petition and challenge whichever aspect they felt aggrieved about in the movie.