Willing to screen 'Padmavati' for anyone after CBFC approval, say film makers

New Delhi: The makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati" are willing to show the epic drama to anyone doubting its content, but only on getting a green signal from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

"We are screening the film to CBFC as per established procedure and convention followed in the industry. Once a censor certificate is obtained, we do not have any reservations with screening the film to quell any doubts that are being cast on the film, although such practice is without a precedent," Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, told IANS in an email interview.

Viacom18 Motion Pictures has produced "Padmavati" with Bhansali Productions, and it will distribute the film in India.

The movie is embroiled in a controversy as some Hindu groups and political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, claim that the film distorts history and wrongly portrays Rajput queen Padmavati, a contention Bhansali has repeatedly rebuffed.

One BJP member has demanded that Bhansali be "tried for treason" and that CBFC should not certify the movie, while some want the movie's release date to be delayed in view of the Gujarat elections, and then there are others who feel the movie must be shown to historians before it is given wings to fly.

The Rajasthan government is also planning to set up a committee to watch the movie.

Andhare is confident the CBFC will have "appropriate representation from the necessary quarters, historians included. We have no reservations on that count. We trust the CBFC's judgement," he said, as they await a CBFC screening of the film.

When is the film likely to be certified?