Kolkata: Amid the raging controversy over noted film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama 'Padmavati', West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said that her government was ready to welcome the film and its crew.


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"Yes, we would welcome them. They are welcome here if they can't do it in other states. We can make special arrangements," Banerjee at a private event here.


The firebrand leader said this why responding to a query whether West Bengal would welcome the film's crew for a première at a time when many states have banned the movie.


"Bengal will be very happy to welcome them," Mamata Di said.


Padmavati has landed in troubled waters in view of protests by several right-wing outfits, including the Sri Rajput Karni Sena, over the alleged distortion of historical facts by its makers.


Besides these right-wing outfits, several political leaders and their parties along with key members of the erstwhile royal families have demanded a ban on the film's release. 


The Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor starrer was scheduled to be released on December 1, but it has now been deferred.


Padukone – who plays the titular role of Rajput Queen Padmavati in the movie – and the film's director have received threats from the Rajput Karni Sena for defending the movie.


On November 22, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani declared his government would not allow the release of "Padmavati" in the poll-bound state.


Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held the film had "distorted facts" about Rajput queen Padmavati and would not be allowed to be released in his state, even if it gets a censor board certification.


His Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath had held the movie director responsible for hurting the sentiments of the Rajput community, while Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had sought edits in the film to remove "objectionable sequences".