Censor board suggests change of title to ‘Padmavat’ for clearance to Bhansali’s film

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: 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 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.