International humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres is exploring legal after Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif reportedly said in an interview that the character she plays in her latest film worked for their gruop.
On August 28, the day the film was released, the group issued a statement dissociating itself from the film and said that it was exploring legal options over fears that the film would portray the group in a damaging way, risking the safety of its staff working in various conflict zones.
The statement said:
"We would like to clarify that MSF has never been consulted or even contacted over the content of this film and is not associated with it in any way.
We are relieved that MSF’s name has not been directly used in the movie "Phantom". On the basis of the promotional trailer and the interviews given by some of the film’s actors, MSF was deeply concerned that film would feature our organisation and portray us in a damaging way. Misrepresentation of humanitarian organisations like MSF could threaten the lives of our patients, staff and undermine our ability to work, especially in the world’s most sensitive conflicts where people might not otherwise have access to medical care.
The organisation in the film has aspects that are confusingly similar to MSF, whilst others are entirely incorrect. Such a blurring of the lines between fact and fiction can have real consequences for our ability to work in difficult places where our access depends on people trusting that we are a neutral, impartial and independent organization."