On January 25, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period saga ‘Padmavati’ now re-titled Padmavat will finally hit the theatres, a spokesperson from Viacom18 Motion Pictures, co-producer of Padmavat, said.
The Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Shahid Kapoor-starrer has been at the centre of a controversy for weeks. The movie was initially slated for release on December 1, 2017. However, now will clash with Akshay Kumar’s Padman during the Republic Day weekend. Further, the movie will be released nationwide except in Rajasthan, as per a statement from chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday.
This statement comes in the wake after the CBFC has given a nod to the magnum opus.
"Padmavat will not be released in the state, keeping in view the sentiments of the people. Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria has been instructed for the same," she said in a statement.
Raje further added that in order to respect the sentiments of the people of the state, the movie will not be screened in any cinema hall in Rajasthan. "...Rani Padmini's sacrifice is a matter of honour and pride for the state and hence Rani Padmini is not just a chapter in history but our dignity. We will not allow defamation of her honour," read the statement.
The Rajput outfits have declared protest against the film. Later the announcement came that they will protest the release of the film at "any cost". Amidst this necessary steps were taken to ensure peace.
Addressing the media, Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, national president of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena said, "Let me make it loud and clear that India will burn if the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), producers or cinema hall owners release the film on January 25. We will not tolerate this attempt of defaming our mother, Rani Padmavati."
Gogamedi threatened, "We will go to the cinema halls wherever the film is screened with lathis and petrol, and term them phool (flower) and Gangajal before using them at cinema halls. Having set the cinema halls on fire, we will show them placards with disclaimers saying no one should get offended as we have just offered phool and Gangajal," TOI reported.
"Three members of the special committee, who were shown the film, after watching the movie said it should not be released as it will also create differences between Brahmins and Rajputs and is also against Muslims and Rajputs. If their recommendations were not to be regarded, why did Prasoon Joshi invite them? We urge PM Narendra Modi to collect the resignation of his ministers Smriti Irani and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and also suspend Prasoon Joshi with immediate effect," he added.
The Twitterati however, extended their support towards the makers of the movie.
READ: ‘Padmavati’ Song: Why Does A Woman’s Talent Get Weighed Down By Heavy Costumes?
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Feature Image Credit: India Today
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