India’s Uttar Pradesh government has written to the Union Secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting requesting them to ensure that public outrage and unrest over the Bollywood film Padmavati are considered before certification of the film by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The home department has also asked the broadcasting ministry to consider mass opinion.
Film theatre and multiplex owners have also received threats of disruptions if the film is screened, Arvind Kumar told the ministry. In light of these issues, it would be pertinent to raise the matter before the CBFC, the official added.
The state government has also pointed out that UP is going for urban body polls on November 22, 26 and 29, and counting of votes would take place on December 1, making it a fragile period for the law and order machinery.
The film is based on the story of Rani Padmini, a legendary Hindu Rajput queen referenced in a poem written in 1540. While the film’s plot is still unknown, protests have been led by right-wing Hindu group, accusing director Sanjay Leela Bhansali of distorting historical facts. Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh play lead roles.
Meanwhile, CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi has clarified reports that he’s approved the film for release.
“The speculative reports a few publications are carrying [on] about I having watched Padmavati are absolutely baseless and untrue. I have not watched the film, not expressed any views regarding it. The film will follow the due process at CBFC,” he said.
According to earlier reports, a “well-informed source” was quoted as saying that Joshi saw the film and didn’t find anything objectionable in the content and that it was expected that the movie will “sail through without cuts”.
Joshi had last week come out in support of Bhansali after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Arjun Gupta, also a CBFC member, urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh that the filmmaker should be tried for treason for distorting history.
“It’s unfortunate to see the personal point of view expressed by an advisory panel member of CBFC against Sanjay Leela Bhansali. By no means does it represent the point of view of CBFC as an organisation or the CBFC board. We have respect for Bhansali as an individual and artist,” Joshi had said.
On Wednesday, the Shri Rajput Karni Sena on Wednesday called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ (shutdown) on December 1 if the film is allowed to release.
“We will hold rallies across the country, including [in] Gurugram, Patna, Lucknow and Bhopal before the release date,” Lokendra Singh Kalvi, founder-patron of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, told media persons in Jaipur.
He said all communities, including Muslims, supported the Sena on the issue.
“We demand a complete ban on the film. Now, we don’t want any pre-screening of the movie. All we want is a ban,” he said. “We request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter.”
Rajasthan State Commission for Women chief Suman Sharma, in a letter, urged Joshi to watch the movie and ensure there was no assault on the dignity of women through the film. Sharma also demanded that women from the Rajput community should be included in the pre-screening of the movie.
The BJP’s Rajasthan unit chief, Ashok Parnami, told media that the Vasundhara Raje government will not tolerate any distortion of historical facts.
Heena Singh Judeo, daughter-in-law of Dilip Singh Judeo of Chhattisgarh’s erstwhile royal family, expressed dissent over the depiction of a Rajput queen in the movie.
“History has witnessed that none of the Rajput maharanis has ever danced in front of anyone, and they cannot play with history,” she said, indicating the Ghoomar song which features the film’s lead actress Deepika Padukone.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had dismissed a plea to stall the film’s release.
The Maharashtra government granted director Bhansali precautionary security cover amid increasing controversies and growing threats ahead of the film’s release.
“We have no words to express our gratitude for providing police protection to our esteemed member,” filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said on behalf of the film fraternity. “We commend your assurance to keep the law and order situation in control that speaks volumes of the efficiency of your staff and the police personnel.”
Pandit also urged the state government to “help the victim” release his film without anybody’s intrusion and with safety to Bhansali’s life so that he continues to make memorable films and help the future generations learn from his legacy.