PADMAAVAT PRODUCERS MOVE SC AGAINST BAN BY FOUR STATES

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will hear on Thursday a petition filed by the producer and director of controversial film Padmaavat against the ban imposed on the movie’s release in four states – Gujarat, Raj as than, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra agreed to list the matter before his bench after advocate Mahesh Agarwal mentioned the petition asking for an urgent hearing. Producer Viacom 18 and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali are petitioners and have approached the top court directly since more than one state is involved.

After facing several obstacles the film “Padmavati” which was retitled “Padmavat” and again “Padmaavat”, is scheduled to be released on January 25 in Hindi, Telegu and Tamil.

The film was earlier scheduled to be released on December 1 of last year.

Attempts to block the film’s release through judicial order have failed in the past. In November the Supreme Court had dismissed a plea seeking stay on release of the movie on the ground that it portrayed Rani Padmavati in poor light.

Dismissing another petition seeking ban on the movie’s UK release, the bench headed by CJI Misra had also asked political leaders to stop pre-judging the film which, right-wing Hindu groups allege, distorts history.

The court said persons holding high office should refrain from comments while the movie was before the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for its approval.

The court said this at a time when chief ministers of some BJP-ruled states came out in support of the protestors and indicated they would not allow its release.