Padmaavat to hit screens on Jan 25, Gujarat bans release
MUMBAI: After months of deliberation, film studio Viacom18 Motion Pictures on Sunday finally announced January 25 as the release date for controversy ridden film Padmavati — now re-christened Padmaavat.
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Padmaavat was cleared for release by the CBFC with a U/A certificate after five modifications including the title.
In a press statement, Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO, Viacom18, thanked the industry for support in getting the film released. “We are humbled with the immense support we have received from the government authorities, the CBFC and the entire film fraternity,” he said.
Bhansali was also overjoyed with the development. “Padmaavat is a dream come true for me. I have always been fascinated by the stories of honour, valour and vigour of our great Rajput warriors that have been captured so beautifully in our literature and this movie is my homage to those glorious stories.”
Starring Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, the film was mired into controversy after Rajput Karni Sena raised their objections towards the content of the film and an apparent dream sequence between Deepika and Ranveer.
This claim was denied by the makers time and again.
GUJ BANS RELEASE
The Gujarat government meanwhile, issued a notification banning the screening of Padmaavat. MOS for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said the ban was necessary to maintain law and order.