India court blocks Da Vinci ban

The film has done good business in some India states

India's Supreme Court has refused to ban The Da Vinci Code film, rejecting petitions from Christian groups opposed to its religious content.

The two judges in the court argued that no predominantly Christian country had banned the film. Christians comprise about 2% of India's billion people.

Indian censors have cleared the film, but seven of 28 states have banned it.

The film - based on Dan Brown's novel - suggests Jesus married follower Mary Magdalene and the couple had children.

The court rejected petitions by the All India Christian Welfare Association and a representative of the New Delhi Cathedral Church, reported the Press Trust of India news agency.

Delayed

The film's release in India was delayed following opposition and to allow special screenings for Catholic leaders and the information and broadcasting minister, Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi.

The Censor Board of India subsequently cleared the film for release without cuts, but demanded a disclaimer at the beginning and end to stress its "fictitious" nature.

Indian states which have banned the film include Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Punjab, Goa and Tamil Nadu.

The film took $224m (£119m) around the world in its first weekend, despite the controversy and poor reviews.

Distributor Columbia said it was the second most successful film opening in history after Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, which made $253m (£135m) in its first weekend last year.