Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati to have 26 cuts? No, says CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi

The fate of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati was hanging in the balance after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) delayed certification to the film due to incomplete documents received. Now, there is some respite for the makers as the CBFC has given Padmavati the green signal.

Padmavati is being given a U/A certificate by the CBFC, subject to some modifications, including the title, which is to be changed to 'Padmavat', after Malik Muhammad Jayasi's epic poem of the same name on which it is based.

While some reports were doing the rounds that the CBFC has demanded 26 cuts in the film, the censor board's chief, Prasoon Joshi, told India Today that there is no truth to this. "Let me clarify and set the record straight. There are no cuts suggested in this film by CBFC, only 5 modifications," he said.

The modifications suggested are as follows:

1. To change the disclaimer clearly to one that does not claim historical accuracy

2. The title is to be changed from Padmavati; the discussed change is to "Padmavat" as the filmmakers have attributed their material/creative source to the fictional poem Padmavat and not history

3. Make modifications in the song Ghoomar to make the depiction befitting the character being portrayed

4. To modify the incorrect/misleading reference to historical places

5. 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

Joshi said that the makers, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Viacom18, who are producing Padmavati, were "completely in agreement" with the modifications suggested by the CBFC.

The decision was arrived at on the evening of December 28, after a viewing held for the Examining Committee members and the special panel, which also attended by Joshi himself. A long discussion ensued, post which the makers of the film were met as well, he revealed.

Explaining the reason behind the need for a special panel, he said, "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."

Padmavati, which stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been in the eye of a storm for its alleged portrayal of Rani Padmini in a negative light, a charge which Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the team of Padmavati has vehemently denied. Violent protests to oppose the film had erupted throughout the country.

With an official clearance given after consulting experts, it remains to be seen if these protesters, led by the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, withdraw their objections to the film.

With inputs from Rahul Kanwal

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