In a massive relief to the cast and crew of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnus opum Padmavati, the Central Board of Film Certification proceeded with the certification of the film on Saturday.
Furthermore, the filmmaker has been asked to change the title of the film. CBFC sources say that the title will be changed from “Padmavati” to “Padmavat” and the film will be passed with a U/A certificate.
Additionally, sources tell Republic TV that more than 26 cuts have to made in the film, along with the title. Furthermore, at least three different disclaimers are to be added during the course of the film, sources say.
They add that the filmmakers have in principle accepted to this condition which are yet to be implemented and another meeting will take place post the implementation of the suggestions.
The Deepika Padukone film has been in the centre of controversies for months now after various groups alleged that the film ‘distorted’ the history of the Rajput community.
From Bengaluru to Rajasthan to various parts of the nation, fringe groups had taken to streets protesting against the release and had also demanded an apology from the crew.
The film was originally slated to release on December 1. Earlier on Saturday, the Karni Sena called for a Bharat Bandh on December 1.
Earlier, Two Rajasthan-based professors on Thursday said they have been invited by the Central Board of Film Certification to be part of a panel to review Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s troubled film “Padmavati”.
The two academics are R S Khangarot, principal of the Agrawal College in Jaipur, and B L Gupta, a retired Rajasthan University professor.
Mr. Khangarot said he received a call from censor board chief Prasoon Joshi to view the film, which is awaiting a censor certificate.
“I got a call from (Prasoon) Joshi recently. He sought my opinion on the film as a part of a panel of historians. I told him that I can be available for the review next week,” he told PTI over phone from Dubai.
Mr. Khangarot said it was a verbal invitation and he has received no written communication.
“For me, this is not an issue between Bhansali and the Rajput community or between Bhansali and Karni Sena. I see it as an issue between the filmmaker and history and I will be reviewing the film in this light,” he said.
Mr. Gupta said he would be able to give his opinion on the period drama after watching the movie and would judge it on the basis of historical facts.
“I can say anything on the film only after watching it. Whether the historic facts are true or not can be assessed only after screening it.
“My endeavour will be on judging the historic facts to the best of my knowledge,” he said.
Bhansali, who appeared before a parliamentary panel, has said his lavishly mounted ₹ 150 crore period drama, featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, is based on the 16th century epic poem “Padmavat” by Malik Muhammad Jayasi.
The film, on the life of Rajput queen Padmini, has run into trouble with Rajput groups alleging that it distorts history, a claim repeatedly denied by the director.
Historians are divided on whether Padmini actually existed.
As protests spread across various states, the film’s December 1 release was deferred as it didn’t have censor clearance.
