MUMBAI MIRROR (November 22, 2017)

A day after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje , among others, called for a ban on the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati for "distorting history", former chairman of the Central Board of Film Certifi cation (CBFC), Pahlaj Nihalani has pointed out that a fi lm can't be banned in a state before receiving a censor certifi cate.

"A state can impose a ban only if it is deemed that the movie may disrupt law and order situation in the state, and only after film certification. A certificate is yet to be issued to Padmavati," Nihalani was quoted as saying. "Unless certificate is not issued, no state can make 'jumlas' like 'we'll cut it' or 'we'll not let it release'. Furthermore, the producer of the film can approach the court, if the scenes do get cut." Prasoon Joshi, the current CBFC chairperson, had earlier said that the board will arrive at a decision after a discussion, but Nihalani downplayed it, saying that a chairman cannot decide the fate of a movie.

"The examination committee decides after watching the movie; the chairman cannot decide. Unless the censor board pronounces its decision, opinion of everyone else is of no value," he added.