Padmavati row: Here’s when the film may get CBFC clearance certificate

Mumbai: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, which was initially slated to release on December 1 may get a clearance certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) today, reports suggest.

The film has been in trouble since its inception over its content. There were protests by several Rajput organisations across the country and even the Royals were upset with the filmmakers.

Moreover, the film failed to get a clearance from the censor board.

According to a report in After Hrs, “the CBFC had refused to certify Padmavati as the disclaimer (whether it is based on fiction or historical facts) had not been mentioned by the makers. Now, the new disclaimer has raised questions about how the film is viewed and certified by the CBFC.”

Padmavati is expected to get a certificate from the CBFC today and the producers may decide when to release the film, which has been on hold since December 1.

 “There’s been no official intimation from the producers. Whenever they plan to release it, we will be happy to give them the promised number of screens,” After Hrs quoted an exhibitor as saying.

“Once the certificate comes, the producers will decide when they want to release Padmavati. As of now, they’re looking at January 5 and January 12,” the daily quoted another source as saying.

However, another source said, “Padmavati will only release in February next year. It’s looking for a vacant spot so that it gets a longer run at the cinemas.”

For the unversed, Padmavati reportedly based on Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jaysi in 1540 is inspired by one of the most glorious chapters of Indian history.

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, Deepika essays the titular role of Rani Padmavati while Shahid Kapoor plays Maharawal Ratan Singh, a brave Rajput warrior. Ranveer Singh portrays Alauddin Khilji, the antagonist in the story.

Several Rajput organisations protested against the film believing that Padmavati had a dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji. The filmmaker and other members of the production team clarified that the film doesn’t contain any objectionable content and that it upholds the pride and glory of the Rajput community.

But protestors were not convinced and they issued death threats to Bhansali and Deepika.

The sets of the film were vandalised during the initial days of shoot and a rangoli inspired by the film’s poster, created by an artist in Gujarat mall was destroyed by an angry mob.