UP Govt writes to I & B Ministry to delay release of Padmavati raising concern over law and order situation
Lucknow, Nov 16 (IBNS) : The Uttar Pradesh government has urged the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to defer the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati, apprehending a dip in the state's law and order situation because of the "distorted historical facts" presented in the film, media reports said.
The period film, which has triggered a controversy among a section of people, is set to release on December 1.
“I was told the censor board has not yet taken a call on its certification,” Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar told The Indian Express.
“Hence, the state government wanted to share intelligence inputs it received about reactions from various social organisations so the censor board can consider them while making a decision.”
A letter in this regard has been sent to the Central Board of Film Certification as well.
The Uttar Pradesh government said the administration will be busy on December 1 with counting votes for the local body elections and making arrangements for Muslim festival Barawafat and hence, any problem in the law and order situation over the release of Padmavati would be difficult to cope with.
“While movies based on facts, with positive stories, motivate and influence the society to move on the right path, movies with distorted historical facts, exaggeration, false and fictional stories create a vicious atmosphere in the nation,” read Kumar’s letter.
The letter is the latest in the controversy over the film after repeated incidents of agitation and vandalisation by members of the Rajput Karni Sena in Rajasthan.
They have even threatened to disrupt its screening for what they alleged "distorting historical facts."
Reports of agitation also came from Gurgaon and Bengaluru.
A group of agitators even attacked the set of the film's in Kolhapur and slapped Bhansali.
The Supreme Court has recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding a stay on Padmavati.
The top court suggested that the Censor Board should take an independent view over the issue, saying it can’t substitute role of CBFC.
The petition said that the film wrongly depicts Rajput queen Padmavati and its release could hurt the sentiments of the Rajput community.
The film stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor.
Bahansali released a video statement on the film’s official Twitter account calling the film his tribute to the “sacrifice, valour and honour” of Rani Padmavati.
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