On Saturday, after nearly amonth of controversy, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cleared the film Padmavati with a U/A certificate. In an interview with TOI, chairperson Prasoon Joshi said he was pleased that the “unprecedented and tough” situation had been resolved. Excerpts
THE TIMES OF INDIA (December 31, 2017)

There have been reports that the film has been passed but with numerous cuts. What is your response?
Incorrect. There are no cuts suggested in this film by CBFC, only five modifications. These are as follows: To change the disclaimer clearly to one that does not claim historical accuracy, the title to be changed from Padmavati; the discussed change is to ‘Padmavat’ as the filmmakers have attributed their material/creative source as the fictional poem Padmavat, and not history. Third, make modifications in the song Ghoomar to make the depiction befitting of the character being portrayed, modify the incorrect or misleading reference to historical places and last, add a disclaimer which clearly makes the point that the film in no manner subscribes to the practice of Sati or seeks to glorify it.

How have the filmmakers responded to these suggested changes?
These are completely in agreement with the producers Viacom and director/producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Since CBFC already has an examining committee and a revising committee, what was the need for constituting a special panel?
Considering the complexities and concerns around the film, the requirement for a special panel was felt by CBFC to add perspective to the final decision of the CBFC official committee. Also, importantly, the filmmakers, Bhansali Productions, in a written communication to CBFC had themselves requested for a special panel of historians/academicians and members of the Rajput community to view the film.

Won’t this special panel be seen as setting a new precedent set by CBFC?
Having a specialist panel at CBFC has been done before. I can cite two examples: in the case of ‘Aarkashan’, wherein an eminent panel representing a concerned group was created, and also in case of ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, wherein historical experts were called in.

Who were the people in the special panel?
The special panel consisted of Arvind Singh from Udaipur, Dr Chandramani Singh and Prof K K Singh of Jaipur University. The members of the panel had insights and some reservations regarding the claimed historical events and socio-cultural aspects, which were duly discussed at length.

Your comments on tackling this case…
This was an unprecedented and tough situation. I am glad that following a balanced approach we resolved the task at hand in a pragmatic and positive manner.

Filmmakers OK With Changes, Says CBFC
Bella Jaisinghani & Swati Mathur | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; December 31, 2017)

Mumbai/NewDelhi:The prospects of the release of the controversial film “Padmavati” brightened significantly with the censor board and the filmmakers arriving at an agreement to change the title of the film to “Padmavat”, carry two disclaimers and modify a song sequence featuring the Mewat queen.

The Central Board of Film Certification has offered a “U/A” certification after it viewed the film on Thursday evening and suggested five modifications and not a couple of dozen cuts as speculated. The viewing was attended by CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi and the film has been vetted by a panel of experts.

Though anti-Padmavati protesters like Karni Sena, which has claimed the film misrepresents events relating to the medieval queen and Alauddin Khilji, and some prominent former royals continue to hold out, the discussions between the censor board and filmmaker Viacom and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali mark a breakthrough that can pave the way for the film’s screening, including in states where governments have announced a ban.

The censor board said on Saturday it has begun the process for granting a U/A certificate to the film. This will be done once the filmmaker changes the title to “Padmavat” that makes it clear that it is based on the fiction poem of the same name. The disclaimers are to clarify that there is no claim to historical accuracy and the song picturised on Deepika Padukone, who plays the lead character, is to be altered in keeping with the depiction of the character of Padmavati.

An additional disclaimer will state that the practice of Sati is not being glorified, perhaps due to a view that the distinction between Jauhar and Sati may not be easily apparent.

Joshi said the film was viewed along with a special panel of historians that gave its “perspective” on the matter. “There are no cuts suggested in this film by CBFC, only five modifications. The incorrect or misleading reference to historical places must be modified.” Joshi did not, however, specify why Bhansali has been asked to run disclaimers to say the film does not endorse the practice of Sati, when the reference in the Padmavati story is to Jauhar, the act of self-immolation to escape dishonour, capture and enslavement. The censor board chief said the film’s producer Viacom and Bhansali are “completely in agreement with the changes”.

While the release date of the film will be decided only after the changes are incorporated, sources said the board’s meeting has indicated CBFC’s intention to clear its eventual release. Bhansali had applied for a certificate for the 3D version on November 28. The CBFC may take up to 68 days to grant a certificate to a film. However, a faster clearance cannot be ruled out once the changes are incorporated. Karni Sena and a few members of a royal family of Rajasthan have been up in arms against the “Ghoomar” dance in the film, which they feel is “indecorous”. The censor board has stipulated that the song will also have to undergo some alterations to “befit the character” of the queen. Given the violent protests that broke out, CBFC also consulted a panel of historians. The censor certificate, sources said, will be issued if and when the changes are carried out. Another meeting will be held to determine the release date.
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Padmavati to be renamed Padmavat as Censor Board clears film with “30 changes”
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 31, 2017)

Following much controversy relating to the film’s release, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has issued a U/A certificate to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati. The board has suggested approximately “30 changes” and also recommended that the film’s title be changed to Padmavat. The CBFC has also suggested three additional disclaimers be added at the beginning and during the interval of the film.

Though the producers have not issued a statement yet, a senior executive at Viacom 18, which has produced the film, told Mirror that Bhansali and the banner will adhere to the suggested alterations and the editing of the film will commence immediately. “By changing the title of the film from Padmavati to Padmavat, the entire premise of the film turns into an imaginative narrative — a completely fictional account. This puts an end to the fact that the film sensationalises the acts of Sati or Johar. Bhansali has agreed to change the title in order to release the film,” a top CBFC executive told Mirror.

The decision has led to industry insiders and social media icons taking to Twitter to express their views on the development. While Raees filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, joked, “Thank god, we have not made a film called Gandhi! Can you imagine what title the CBFC would suggest?”, Twitter influencer Ramesh Srivats posted, “Both Sanjay Leela Bansal and Prasoon Josh are happy about Padmavat, and they hope this compromise is acceptable to Narendra Mod and Rahul Gandh.”

The historical-drama that features Ranveer Singh as Allauddin Khilji, Deepika Padukone as the titular Rani Padmavati and Shahid Kapoor as Raja Rawal Ratan Singh was screened for the censor board on December 28. “The certificate will be issued only once Bhansali Productions and Viacom18 Motion Pictures officially make the suggested modifications. There will also be changes in the already-released 'Ghoomar' song. The film’s release date will be announced thereafter,” the source added.

A panel including Arvind Singh from Udaipur, Chandramani Singh and KK Singh from Jaipur University, had “insights and also some reservations regarding claimed historical events and socio-cultural aspects” which were duly discussed at length. Another round of discussions will be held before the official certificate is issued.