Padmavati Release Delayed? Censor Board Hasn't Seen Film Yet, Say Sources

New Delhi: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film Padmavati that ran into trouble with Rajput Karni Sena and other fringe groups may be delayed beyond December 1 when it was scheduled to be released. Sources said the movie is unlikely to get a censor board certificate by December 1 as the screening committee of the Censor Board of Film Certification, popularly also called the censor board, had not seen the movie yet.

Padmavati Release Delayed? Censor Board Hasn't Seen Film Yet, Say Sources

The film was submitted for the censor board's approval only Friday. 

According to existing norms, the censor board can take 61 days for a decision on a film's certification. Sources suggested it may be difficult for the producers to stick to their 1 December schedule if the board strictly abides by the norms.

The film is based on the legendary 13th century queen Padmini of Chittor and critics, mostly Rajput groups, say Padmavati wrongly implies a romantic relationship between the queen and Emperor Alauddin Khilji, the all-powerful Delhi Sultan. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has repeatedly denied the allegation and recently released a video clarifying that his film does not distort history.

But it is a sentiment that has found resonance among the politically crucial Rajput community in Rajasthan and beyond, right from the time shooting started. That is when the sets of the film - which has Deepika Padukone, Ranvir Singh, Shahid Kapoor in the leading roles - was vandalised first in Jaipur.
After many protests in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Karnataka as well, a leader of Karni Sena that has been at the forefront of the agitation to seek a ban on the movie yesterday also threatened Deepika Padukone with physical harm.

"Rajputs never raise a hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha," said Mahipal Singh Makrana, referring to the act of cutting the nose off. No case has been registered against him but the threat prompted Mumbai police to scale up the security to Deepika Padukone.