Deems interference in the film, which is yet to get censor nod as 'premature'
MUMBAI MIRROR (November 21, 2017)

The raging controversy around Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period-drama, Padmavati, took a fresh turn on Monday when the Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking deletion of certain alleged objectionable scenes from the film, terming it as premature.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was informed that the film has not yet received the certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). "Our interference in this writ petition will tantamount to pre-judging, which we are not inclined to do," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said.

Advocate M L Sharma, who had filed the petition seeking a direction for removal of all scenes of alleged 'character assassination' of Queen Padmavati from the movie before its release, argued that though the Censor Board has not given a certificate to the movie, the songs of the film have already been released.

Viacom 18, the makers of the Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor-starrer, had released a statement on Sunday, saying that they have deferred the movie's release which was originally scheduled on December 1. —Agencies

'No screening till objectionable scenes removed'

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was quoted as saying on Monday that Padmavati would not be allowed to release in the state unless the objectionable scenes were removed.

"We have been reading about the queen's sacrifice from childhood. Distortion of history will not be tolerated. Unless the objectionable scenes are removed, I will not let the film to be released across the state," he addressed a gathering after a meeting with representatives of the Rajput community. He also announced that a memorial would be built in Queen Padmavati's memory.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also joined the anti-Padmavati protests, contending that the Karni Sena's stand is justified. "Nobody will accept distortion of history and those who are protesting are rightly doing so," Singh reportedly said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also warned the centre of possible law and order problems if the movie is released.

In Rajasthan, the epicentre of the protests headed by the Karni Sena, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has written to the union government asking that the movie not be allowed to screen till scenes that have offended Rajput and other groups are deleted.

Meanwhile, the nationwide clamour has also reached Jammu and Kashmir with National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana writing to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, asking her not to allow the film's release in the state till its contents are verified.

Swimming against the tide is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has lashed out at the protesters. "The Padmavati controversy is not only unfortunate but also a calculated plan of a political party to destroy the freedom to express ourselves. We condemn this super emergency. All in the film industry must come together and protest in one voice," Banerjee said in a statement on Monday.

Amidst threats and protests from the Karni Sena and other fringe groups, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone have both been given security by the government. —Agencies

MEANWHILE...CBFC TURNS DOWN MAKERS' REQUEST FOR 'QUICK REVIEW'

According to reports, the censor board has turned down the Padmavati makers' request to quickly review and certify the film.

Last week, the censor board had reportedly returned the review application to the film's makers citing "technical issues" after protests erupted over the film allegedly distorting facts. It was scheduled to release on December 1.

When asked about the row on the sidelines of an event, CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi said, "We are trying to follow due process. We should sort out the issue through dialogue, not through arguments."