Ekta Kapoor has often happily courted controversy to promote her films, but this time her strategy may have backfired. Balaji had sent a cordial invitation to Kolkata-based self-proclaimed Wiccan priestess, author and social activist Ipsita Roy Chakraverti, asking her to be a part of 'Ek Thi Daayan's promotional campaign. Not only has Chakraverti refused to be a part of the drive, but has taken offence with the way witches are allegedly portrayed in the film. She met President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday, and convinced him to refer the matter to the National Women's Commission chief Mamta Sharma. Sources confirmed that the commission has taken up the case as a "matter of national interest" since the recommendation has come from the President's office and Balaji will soon receive a notice.

TOI has got copies of emails exchanged between Balaji Telefilms Ltd and Ipsita, as well as a copy of the petition forwarded to the President in which Ipsita states that the film will incite violence against women and "lead to further witch hunts which are already rife in our rural areas". "I met the President at 7.15 pm at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday with my petition. I explained to him why such a film should not be released in India. I reasoned that the portrayal of witches in the film supports the age-old prejudice of burning women after branding them as witches," she said adding, "I am totally in the know of the contents of the film. The company had forwarded a detailed brief and I had had a chat with the director too." In the petition, Ipsita expressed her surprise that a national award-winning actor like Konkona Sen Sharma, is part of the film. It is one of the rare cases where the President has taken cognisance of a compliant against a Bollywood film.

Many are of the view that Chakraverti's voice may have been heard because she is a close friend of the President's wife Suvra Mukherjee. Ipsita argued, "It is true I am a family friend of the Mukherjees but that is not why I approached him. I strongly believe that such films should not release in India. I have been told that my complaint will be forwarded to the National Women's Commission by Wednesday evening." Ekta Kapoor and her team were unaware of the developments till we contacted them, but Ekta confirmed that she had contacted Ipsita to promote her film. "How can somebody say that I am degrading women? My film is a work of art. I need to consult my legal team," she said. The conversation was soon followed by a text message from Tanuj Garg, CEO, Balaji, saying that the production house will not comment on the issue any further unless they receive an official communication from the Commission.