Padmavati makers postpone film’s release amid controversy

MUMBAI: The proposed release date of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Padmavati” has been deferred, the makers of the film said on Sunday.

A spokesperson of Viacom18 Motion Pictures said it had taken the decision “voluntarily”.

“Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind ‘Padmavati’, has voluntarily deferred the release date of the film from December 1st, 2017,” it said.

The spokesman said it had the highest regard for the law of the land and statutory bodies such as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

As a “responsible and law-abiding corporate citizen”, it was committed to following the established procedure and convention, it said.

“We have faith that we will soon obtain the requisite clearances to release the film,” the statement read. Censor Board chief Prasoon Joshi had on Saturday slammed the makers for allowing the film to be screened for various media channels before obtaining a certificate from the board. The CBFC had sent the film back to the producer as the application for the certification was “incomplete”.

“...We are a responsible, lawabiding 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,” the statement said.

The studio said it would soon announce the new release date for the film.

“We will announce the revised release date of the film in due course. We stand firm in our commitment to telling endearing tales that resonate with our audiences the world over as we have in the past with our other projects such as ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, ‘Queen’, ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and many more,” it said.

The makers reiterated that the film was a cinematic masterpiece capturing “Rajput valour, dignity and tradition in all its glory”.

The director was roughed up by members of the fringe group Rajput Karni Sena in Jaipur. Its elaborate sets were also vandalised during shooting schedules in Jaipur and Kolhapur. The first poster of the movie was released in October this year and triggered a storm with various Rajput groups and others claiming that the director had “distorted” historical facts.

Bhansali and lead actor Deepika Padukone have received threats. Their security has been beefed up by the Mumbai police.

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said on Sunday that Bollywood movie ‘Padmavati’ will not be allowed to be released in the state unless its “controversial portions” are removed.

The deputy chief minister’s comments came on a day, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind the film said they had voluntarily deferred the release date from December 1.

Maurya said the legendary queen had sacrificed her life instead of surrendering before the Mughals and made a place for herself in the history.

“Islamic invaders created a lot of mayhem in the country.

The ‘Rani’ burnt herself alive in ‘Jauhar’ for her ‘satitva’ (pride) and dignity,” he said.

As an entertainment department minister also, I can say that we will not let the movie be released in Uttar Pradesh unless its controversial portions are removed, Maurya said.

Earlier, on Nov 15, UP government had shot off a letter to Centre stating that releasing the Bollyoood movie on December 1 would not be in the interest of law and order of the state.

In a letter written to Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, state Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said that the censor board should be apprised about the resentment in public about the alleged distortion of facts in the movie.

“Board members should take a decision after taking into account people’s view. They should be apprised about it,” Kumar had said in his letter.

Bhansali is facing the ire of various groups, who allege improper “depiction” of legendary queen Rani Padmavati.

Padmavati has Deepika Padukone in the titular role, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji.

Earlier in the day, the movie makers announced that the release date of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’ had been deferred. “Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind ‘Padmavati’, has voluntarily deferred the release date of the film from December 1st 2017,” they said in a statement.

The spokesman said the studio had the highest regard for the law of the land and statutory bodies such as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). “We have faith that we will soon obtain the requisite clearances to release the film,” the statement read.

Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi had yesterday slammed the makers for allowing the film to be screened for various media channels before obtaining a certificate from the board.

‘Padmavati’ has been facing controversy since Bhansali started shooting the film earlier this year.

The director was roughed up by members of the fringe group, Shri Rajput Karni Sena, in Jaipur. Its elaborate sets were vandalised during shooting schedules in Jaipur and Kolhapur.

The first poster of the movie was released in October this year and triggered a storm with various Rajput groups and others claiming that the director had “distorted” historical facts.

Bhansali and lead actor Deepika Padukone have received threats. Their security has been beefed up by the Mumbai police.

The film fraternity has come out in support of Bhansali and the team, with many leading artistes calling it an attack on creative freedom.