THE TIMES OF INDIA (November 20, 2017)

Beset with controversy for the past few weeks, Viacom18 Motion Pictures’ production, ‘Padmavati’, which was due for release on December 1, has been deferred “voluntarily”, the producers said on Sunday. In a statement to PTI, a spokesperson of Viacom18 Motion Pictures said, “Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind ‘Padmavati’, has voluntarily deferred the release date of the film from December 1st 2017.”

Saying that the studio would soon announce the new release date for the film, the spokesman emphasized it has the highest regard for the law of the land and statutory bodies such as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). As a “responsible and law-abiding corporate citizen”, it was committed to following the established procedure and convention, it said. “We have faith that we will soon obtain the requisite clearances to release the film,” the statement read.

Censor Board chief Prasoon Joshi had on Saturday slammed the filmmakers for allowing the film to be screened for various media channels before obtaining a certificate from the board. The CBFC had sent the film back to the producer as the application for the certification was “incomplete”.

The producers reiterated: “The film is an eloquent portrayal of a tale that will fill every Indian with pride and showcase our country’s story-telling prowess across the globe.” ‘Padmavati’ has been facing controversy since its director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, began shooting the film earlier this year.

Won’t allow film’s release: UP dy CM
UP deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said on Sunday that the government won’t let ‘Padmavati’ be released in the state unless its “controversial portions” are removed. “Instead of bowing before the invaders, the Rani burnt herself alive in ‘Jauhar’ for her dignity,” he said.

 Film fraternity backs Bhansali, artistes say ‘creative freedom being attacked’
The director was roughed up by members of the fringe group Rajput Karni Sena in Jaipur. Its elaborate sets were also vandalized during shooting schedules in Jaipur and Kolhapur. The first poster was released in October this year and triggered a storm with various Rajput groups claiming that the director had “distorted” historical facts. Bhansali and lead actor Deepika Padukone have received threats. Their security has been beefed up by the Mumbai police.

Meanwhile, the film fraternity has come out in support of Bhansali and the team, with many leading artistes calling it an attack on creative freedom. Filmmaker Anurag Basu said, “The whole 'Padmavati' row is based on just presumptions. Protesters have not seen a single frame of the film yet, but they know that history has been tampered. How? Karni Sena and other protesters will face huge existential crisis post the release of Padmavati so they are trying to juice out maximum.”

Burn Deepika alive, take Rs 1cr: Group
A fringe group on Sunday targeted actor Deepika Padukone, announcing a reward of Rs 1 crore for anyone “burning her alive”. Members of the Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Mahasabha (ABKM) burnt over a hundred effigies of Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali in UP. ABKM’s youth wing leader Bhuvneshwar Singh said, "Any person burning her alive will be given Rs 1 crore."

BJP leader doubles bounty on Deepika
A Haryana BJP functionary on Sunday issued a diktat, saying that he would reward anyone who beheads Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone Rs 10 crore. Haryana BJP chief media coordinator, Suraj Pal Amu, said, “We will reward those who behead them with Rs 10 crore.” Meanwhile, a fringe group announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for “burning Padukone alive”.
--------------------------------
MUMBAI MIRROR (November 20, 2017)

After weeks of nationwide protests from various fringe groups over the depiction of Rani Padmavati in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming period-drama, the makers revealed on Sunday that they have decided to delay its release indefi nitely. A statement released by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind the film, revealed that they have “voluntarily deferred the release date of the film.”

“Viacom18 Motion Pictures has created a beautiful cinematic masterpiece in Padmavati that captures Rajput valour, dignity and tradition in all its glory. The film is an eloquent portrayal of a tale that will fill every Indian with pride and showcase our country’s story-telling prowess across the globe. We are a responsible, lawa-biding corporate citizen and have the highest respect and regard for the law of the land and all our institutions and statutory bodies, including the Central Board of Film Certification. We always have and are committed to continue following the established procedure and convention. We have faith that we will soon obtain the requisite clearances to release the film. We will announce the revised release date of the film in due course,” the statement read.

The film first ran into trouble in January, when the Rajput caste organisation, the Rajput Karni Sena, attacked director Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the Jaipur sets following rumours that the film features an intimate scene between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji.

The Rajasthan-based Sena has been critical of the film, saying it would offend the Rajput community, and that Bhansali was deliberately distorting history. A few months later, the film’s Kolhapur sets was attacked and parts of it set on fire. Maintaining that the film compromises on the honour of the Rajput queen, the Sena refused to heed clarifications from the film’s team that there is no such scene in the movie. Meanwhile, ahead of its theatrical release of December 1, Bhansali has reportedly agreed to show the movie to all the protesting groups after the CBFC screening to allay their fears.

The filmmaker had reportedly written to CBFC to speed up the certification so that he could arrange a pre-screening of the movie. In the same letter, the makers have insisted that the movie will release on December 1 as scheduled and there will be no change in that plan. More recently, the Karni Sena has objected to the depiction of Rajput culture in the movie, alleging that the makers have shown their clan in poor light.

They have also alleged that the movie insults Rani Padmini by showing her dance in public (the “Ghoomar” song). While the controversy rages on, the CBFC recently returned Bhansali’s application citing “technical deficiencies” in it, likely delaying its release.

CBFC chairperson, Prasoon Joshi, said in a statement, “The film’s application came up this week only for review. The makers know and admit that the paper work is not complete — the very disclaimer whether the film is work of fiction or a historical was left blank and not stated — and on simply and legitimately being asked to provide important documents, target the CBFC for looking the other way and delay.”

“Disappointing that the film ‘Padmavati’ is being screened for the media and getting reviewed on national channels without CBFC having seen or certified the film. This compromises the role of systems and balances that are part of a functioning industry,” the statement added.

The makers of Padmavati remained unavailable for comment.
--------------------------------
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; November 20, 2017)

After weeks of drama surrounding the film — with fringe outfits demanding a ban on it and lead actor Deepika Padukone asserting that “nothing can stop the release” — Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati witnesses yet another and possibly the final twist in the tale.

Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the producers of the Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor and Padukone starrer, issued a statement yesterday saying that the studio has “voluntarily deferred the release date of the film from December 1, 2017. ” The studio emphasized its “respect and regard for the law of the land and all our institutions and statutory bodies including the Central Board of Certification.” It also stated that a new release date will be announced once the requisite clearances are in place.

This comes close on the heels of the CBFC returning Bhansali’s drama on Friday over incomplete application. Industry insiders say the final nail in the coffin came in the form of the film’s private screening for select journalists that was organised late Friday evening.

A source reveals, “The filmmaker had kept a special screening for select channel heads, who then went ahead to vouch for the film and how it doesn’t hurt religious sentiments. This left many at CBFC annoyed. Prasoon Joshi [CBFC chief] too lashed out at the filmmaker for screening a movie that was yet to receive a censor certificate.”

The source adds that the CBFC also pointed out to the makers how they had not adhered to the rules — Rule 41 of the Cinematograph Act 1952 states that a film must be submitted for certification 68 days prior to its release date. “This rule has never been implemented before. In the past, we have seen instances of films getting their certificates in the release week. But, the board has suddenly decided to become stringent,” says the insider, adding that it may spell trouble for the forthcoming releases as well.

“If they uphold the rule, many films including Firangi and Tiger Zinda Hai might miss their release date.”

What’s the phatka?
Trade analyst Amod Mehra says that the producers of Padmavati will be adversely affected by the delay. “It’s obvious that the delay will cause losses. There is also a possibility that the audience might lose interest in the film, which also affects the collection.”

Mehra adds that the postponing of the period drama will also give an advantage to other films. He points out, “If Kapil Sharma’s Firangi releases as per its schedule on November 24, then it will enjoy an uninterrupted run. The next big release is Fukrey, which is on December 15, and I won’t be surprised if they advance the release. If they do, they stand to get a clear window at the theatres before Tiger Zinda Hai releases.”