In an unprecedented move, the Union ministry of health and family welfare has lodged a complaint with the censor board, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), about an unreleased movie centred around clinical trials of new drugs in the country.

In its complaint, the health ministry has alleged that the movie—Umeed—presents “distorted and misleading” facts on clinical trials of new drugs, which are contrary to the extant Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

The ministry has written to Prasoon Joshi, chairman of the censor board, asking him to postpone its release.

Its complaint is based on the trailer of the film.

“From the trailer of the film, it appears that a lot of distorted and misleading facts on clinical trials of new drugs are being presented in the said film and the issues dealt in the film are contrary to the existing Act. This ministry has serious objections to the release of this film,” the health ministry said in a letter dated 12 September.