Mumbai: Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the Central Board of Film Certification may have reached a truce but there seems to be no respite for the makers of Padmavati (now Padmavat) as a nationwide protest led by Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena has reportedly begun today.


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

According to a report in CNN News 18, the Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena demanded the resignation of Union Cabinet Minister Information & Broadcasting Smriti Irani, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, and CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi.


The film based on an Avadhi poem written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s Padmavat penned in 1540, has been in the eye of storm since its inception over its historical content. Protestors allege that the film distorts history and misrepresents facts.


The magnum opus starring Deepika Padukone ( as Rani Padmavati), Shahid Kapoor (as Maharawal Ratan Singh) and Ranveer Singh (as Alauddin Khilji) was initially slated to hit the silverscreen on December 1 last year. But owing to relentless nationwide protests the makers of the film had to defer its release. Moreover, the film was also stuck at the censor board and hadn’t been certified for screening.


On Sunday, December 30, the CBFC ended all speculations about the film’s certificate and the issues related to the cuts / modifications that were suggested to the filmmakers.


The censor board suggested no cuts but only five modifications in Padmavati, Joshi clarified on Sunday.


Among the modifications, the body has suggested "to change the disclaimer clearly to one that does not claim historical accuracy" and to further add a point that the film in no manner subscribes to the practice of Sati or seeks to glorify it.


Secondly, the title of the movie was asked to be changed from Padmavati to Padmavat, given the filmmakers have attributed their material/creative source to the fictional poem Padmavat and not history.


The song `Ghoomar` was also asked to be modified so as to make the depiction befitting the character being portrayed.


Lastly, the CBFC has also the filmmakers to modify the incorrect/misleading references to historical places.


Joshi also informed that the viewing of the movie took place on December 28, wherein the examining committee members and a special panel were also present.


After a long discussion, the team met with the filmmakers."The filmmakers, Bhansali Productions, in a written communication to CBFC had themselves too requested for a special panel of historians/academicians and members of the Rajput community to view the Film," the CBFC chief stated in an email sent to ANI.


The special panel consisted of Arvind Singh, a member of the former Royal family of Mewar, historian Dr. Chandramani Singh and Prof K.K. Singh of the Jaipur University.


After making the suggested changes, the film would be given a UA certificate.


The protests surrounding the movie has not ended even after the censor body cleared it for the release, as Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi on Saturday threatened to vandalise all the cinema halls showing the film.


Meanwhile, erstwhile royal of Udaipur, Vishvaraj Singh slammed the CBFC for suggesting modifications to the film without his accord.


(With agency inputs)