CBFC gives UA certification for 'Padmavati', asks to change name to 'Padmavat'

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in their examining committee meeting on December 28 to review Deepika Padukone-starrer, 'Padmavati' decided to give it UA certificate along with some modifications, including the likely change of the title to Padmavat.

The certificate is to be issued once required and agreed modifications are made.

"The film was approached with a balanced view keeping in mind both the filmmakers and society. Considering complexities and concerns around the film, the requirement for a special panel was felt by CBFC to add perspective to the final decision," said CBFC.

The special panel consisted of Arvind Singh from Udaipur, Dr Chandramani Singh and Professor KK Singh of Jaipur University.

The panel members had insights and also some reservations regarding the claimed historical events and socio-cultural aspects which were duly discussed at length, said CBFC.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus 'Padmavati' has been subject to controversy since the day shooting began, with various fringe groups and political leaders accusing the filmmaker of allegedly 'distorting history' and maligning the image of the Rajput queen.The protests have stalled the release of the film, which was scheduled on December 1.

Padmavati stars Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. The film is an adaptation of a poem called "Padmavat' by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. The poem, written in 1540, is a fictional epic about the Mughal king Alauddin Khalji's lust for an imaginary queen called Rani Padmini. As many versions of the poem came up, the story is confused to be a real-life account.

(With inputs from ANI)