Padmavati row: Deepika Padukone starrer yet to get certification from CBFC, release delayed

MUMBAI: Amid continued protests against Padmavati and threats to its cast and crew, the makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed magnum opus announced on Sunday that the film will not hit cinemas on its scheduled date of December 1.

“Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind Padmavati, has voluntarily deferred the release date of the film from December 1, 2017,” a statement by the company spokesperson said.

“We will announce the revised release date of the film in due course. We stand firm in our commitment to tell endearing tales that resonate with our audiences the world over as we have in the past,” the statement added.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairman, Prasoon Joshi had on Saturday slammed the makers of Padmavati for screening it for a selected audience before obtaining the certificate from the board.

Responding to the remark, the studio’s statement said, “We are a responsible, law-abiding 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.”

“Along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, amongst the most gifted filmmakers of his generation, Viacom18 Motion Pictures has created a beautiful cinematic masterpiece in Padmavati that captures Rajput valor, 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,” the statement further said.

The vitriol against the film that stars Deepika Padukone in the title role went up a notch further on Sunday as a fringe group in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for anyone “burning her alive”, while a BJP office-bearer in Haryana said he would double the bounty on the heads of Deepika and Bhansali to Rs 10 crore. Surajpal Amu, the party’s chief media coordinator, also threatened to “break the legs” of Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of Sultan Alauddin Khilji. 

UP’s Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the movie would not be allowed to be screened in the state unless its “controversial portions” were removed. Protests against the film in Rajasthan and other parts of the country continued.