The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Prasoon Joshi refuted a report that modifications to Padmavat have resulted in 300 cuts.
“The makers have submitted the final film with agreed five modifications. These modifications have tried to incorporate observations and suggestions given by the advisory panel and also in keeping with the sentiments of society. This has already been communicated by CBFC and a U/A certificate has been given to the film,” Joshi said.
Joshi continued: “CBFC’s process is complete and any further news about cuts is absolutely untrue. Let’s refrain from utilising CBFC’s name unnecessarily.”
Indian media reported that to suit the demands of the CBFC, “one of Bollywood’s leading directors was sitting in the editing suite at Rajkamal Studio at Parel, turning the specific locations of his magnum opus into la la land.”
The report further read that Padmavat director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been instructed to delete all references to Delhi, Chittorgarh and Mewar from the film and that “buzz is that they have resulted in as many as 300 cuts”.
Padmavat, which was to release as Padmavati on December 1 last year, has been embroiled in a controversy over alleged distortion of historical facts.
CBFC, in consultation with a special advisory panel, saw the movie last month and decided to grant the film a U/A certificate with five modifications, including title change and two disclaimers.
The movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, is slated to release on January 25 in India, but the Rajasthan government has said they won’t allow it to be exhibited in the state.
The Karni Sena, a Rajput group, has been persistent in threatening the makers of Padmavat of dire consequences if it is released on January 25.
Meanwhile, the Congress party in India has said there is a clear conflict between the central and state governments on the issue.
“For us, the release of any film means it has been certified by the censor board. The government of India should ask Vasundhara [Raje, Chief Minister of Rajasthan] if she is opposed to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry,” Congress leader Raj Babbar said. “The censor board, which comes under the Ministry, has given a certificate to release the film.”
“Is she not opposing the central government by not allowing the film to release [in Rajasthan]?” he asked.
Babbar said: “This is a conflict between the central and state governments. She should reply to this.”
Vasundhara Raje on Monday said Padmavat would not be released in cinemas across the state.
