As a number of violent actions are planned to take against the release of Padmavati, the most controversial movie of the year, the producer Viacom18 Motion Pictures on Sunday announced it had “voluntarily deferred the release date of the film” from December 1.
The Rajputs think that the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali might have manipulated the historical facts which will humiliate the image of Rani Padmavati. The makers did not announce when the historical drama, featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh, will be released.
After the announcement, the most active group Shri Rajput Karni Sena switched its command for a Bharat bandh on December 1, but also denied the studio’s decision as an “attempt to fool people”.
On the other side Uttar Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said he will not grant permission to the film to release in the state until all the questionable clips are removed from the movie.
The government of Uttar Pradesh had earlier sent to the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting that “public anger” over the “script” and “distorted historical facts” in the film could have an “adverse effect” on the law-and-order condition in the state.
On Friday, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had revived Viacom’s application for permission for the film, creating questions of the film to be released next year.
CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi had said: “In this specific case, the film’s application came up this week only for review. The makers know and admit that the paperwork is not complete — the very disclaimer whether the film is work of fiction or a historical was left blank and not stated — and on simply and legitimately being asked to provide important documents, they target the CBFC for ‘looking the other way and delay’. This truly is surprising.”
In a statement, Viacom said on Sunday, “We are a responsible, law-abiding corporate citizen and have the highest respect and regard for the law of the land and all our institutions and statutory bodies including the Central Board of Film Certification… We have faith that we will soon obtain the requisite clearances to release the film. We will announce the revised release date of the film in due course.”
It added, “Along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, amongst the most gifted filmmakers of his generation, Viacom18 Motion Pictures has created a beautiful cinematic masterpiece in Padmavati that captures Rajput valour, dignity and tradition in all its glory. The film is an eloquent portrayal of a tale that will fill every Indian with pride and showcase our country’s story-telling prowess across the globe.”
Kalvi said in Jaipur on Sunday evening, while “there is no need for the (planned) Bharat bandh now”, the Karni Sena still wanted a “complete ban” on the film.
“Some people have been alleging that we are hand in glove with Bhansali as its TRP has risen because of us. So if we don’t damage (that notion) 100 percent, I will have no right to say I am the 37th descendant of Rana Ratan Singh and Rani Padmavati,” Kalvi said.
“Unhone (Rani Padmavati) mughalon ke adheen hone ki jagah, mughalon ko apney ko samarpit karne ki jagah, apne satitva ki raksha ke liye jauhar ki jwala me jali hain. Main unko naman karta hun (Instead of giving herself up to the Mughals, Rani Padmavati chose to commit jauhar. I salute her),” Maurya said at a public meeting in Hamirpur.
Maurya said that as the state’s minister in charge of entertainment tax, “main tab tak yahan par film ko pradarshit karne ki anumati nahin dunga jab tak Uttar Pradesh ke andar pradarsan karne se pehle uss film me se wah vivadit ansh nikalkar ke bahar na kar diye jaye. (I will not allow the film to be shown in UP until all disputed portions are left out.)”
Bollywood fraternity, which is known for being silent during problems like this, has been quiet, only, actor Shabana Azmi is the only big persona who has shown anger against the use of threats and threatening against the Padmavati crew, and has requested for the industry to be united.— With information from Jaipur, Lucknow.
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