The makers of Padmavati have denied speculation that the release of the drama is being deferred. They said the film will release as scheduled; the movie is out in the UAE on November 30 and a day later in India.
“Rumours of postponement of Padmavati are baseless,” said Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer of Viacom18 Motion Pictures, via his official Twitter account.
The banner has produced Padmavati with Bhansali Productions, and it will distribute the film in India.
According to reports, the release of Padmavati was likely to be pushed ahead in view of the forthcoming elections in Gujarat, over alleged “distortion of facts”.
The movie is embroiled in a controversy as some Hindu groups and political parties claim that the film wrongly portrays Rajput queen Padmavati, a contention Bhansali has repeatedly denied.
CERTIFICATION WOES
The makers are yet to receive a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), saying the official Indian body is “looking the other way” due to which they are compelled to show the movie on other platforms.
“What an irony, those who are supposed to watch are looking the other way and we have to run around and show it at other forums to ‘clear’ it,” Andhare added.
CBFC has reportedly sent back the film’s application for certification, citing that it is incomplete.
Meanwhile, senior journalists in India, Rajat Sharma and Arnab Goswami, said they have watched the movie and didn’t find anything that could hurt the sentiments of the Rajput community.
Andhare wrote: “Can screen to responsible individuals who feel aggrieved. Please come, see it yourself, nothing to hide, put an end to this saga. Let’s celebrate our heritage.”
“We can do it tomorrow itself, we want them to stand with us support the film it celebrates Rajput pride. We have been saying from beginning... Film just finished few days back,” he added in a series of posts.
Padmavati is Bhansali’s professed tribute to the valour and sacrifice of Rajput queen Rani Padmavati. Various Rajput organisations have demanded the movie’s release be stalled and have threatened the director and the film’s lead actress Deepika Padukone.
“We must appreciate that government has really gone out of the way to provide security to Sanjay and Deepika,” Andhare tweeted, thanking Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
PROTESTS CONTINUE
Over the weekend, entry to the famous Chittorgarh fort in Rajasthan was closed as a few thousand people held a peaceful protest outside the main gate to protest the film’s release.
Tourists visiting the Unesco World Heritage site fort were requested to go back.
The fort is visited by around 3,000-4,000 tourists from October.
“Around 5,000-6,000 persons sat on dharna [protest] outside the gate. We will continue the dharna till our demand on ban on the film is not met. We have decided to review the situation next Friday,” said Mangal Singh, joint secretary, Chittorgarh, Mewar Shatriya Mahasabha, which supported the protest.
