Sources say filmmaker to meet chief ministers of five states that have banned Padmavati, address their concerns to ensure film’s release
After appearing before the parliamentary standing committee on Thursday, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has now set out to extend an olive branch to many others who have opposed the release of Padmavati without having seen the film. We hear the director will be meeting the chief ministers or state representatives of the five states - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat - that have banned the Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh-starrer.
A still from Padmavati
A source reveals, "Since the alleged romantic sequence between Rani Padmini and Alauddin Khilji was the bone of contention, Bhansali reiterated before the parliamentary panel that his film doesn't have any such scene. Now, he wants to know why certain states have banned the film and how they can come to a common ground. The meetings will take place over the next week."
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
The source adds that his meeting with Rajasthan's chief minister Vasundhara Raje is being worked out. "Bhansali might discuss the film in detail with her and personally assure her that it doesn't hurt Rajput sentiments. The film will carry a disclaimer about it being a work of fiction, based on Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's poem Padmavat."
Meanwhile, sources at Censor Board say that the film will be viewed by the examining committee on December 20, after Bhansali has met the CMs. The magnum opus was rejected by the CBFC on November 17 after the application form was found incomplete, post which the makers promptly reapplied for certification. "The makers hope to get the censor certificate by end of this month. The production house is eyeing a release sometime between January 15 and February 15, depending on what the trade pundits suggest."
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