The entire film industry should boycott IFFI protesting threats to Padmavati : Shabana Azmi

Azmi's boycott call came in protest against the continuing threats against the film and Deepika Padukone, the lead actor.

"Padmavatis application to CBFC has been sent back bcoz of incomplete formalities! Really? Or to keep fires stoked for electoral gains?" she said in a series of tweets. .

  Azmi also demanded "action against those issuing threats" to the cast and crew of the upcoming  Sanjay Leela Bhansali  movie which has been  caught in a vortex of controversy. She reminded the censor board that "it is (a) statutory body mandated to classify the film".

"The entire film industry should boycott IFFI in protest against the threats to @deepikapadukone SLB and #Padmavati

Calling the situation "cultural annihilation",  Azmi criticised Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani for her silence on the issue.

"Smriti Irani is preparing IFFI dats possible only bcoz the Indian Film Industry brings such acclaim to it but keeps quiet about Padmavati!"

"This is exactly like HKL Bhagat and Congress celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi in 1989.Cultural Annihilation," she said.

Padmavati evoked a huge controversy  after several fringe groups alleged that Bhansali has distorted history in his upcoming film.

The groups have  even said they will not allow the portrayal of Rani Padmini, to be played by Padukone,  in a wrong way.

Amid the running feuds,  the censor board, has sent the movie back to the makers as the application for the certification was “incomplete."

According to media reports, the application was sent back to the filmmakers through an online process on November 16.

The report quoted its sources as saying that the film's December 1 release is expected to be delayed as a result.

Reacting sharply to the vandalisation of a Kota mall recently, Padukone said people have regressed as a nation. "It's appalling, it's absolutely appalling. What have we gotten ourselves into? And where have we reached as a nation? We have regressed."

The actress even said nothing can stop the release of the film, drawing comments form the leaders of Karni Sena.

Reacting to it, threats were issued to do physical harm to Padukone.

Padukone had earlier urged Information and Broadcasting minister Smriti Irani to take legal actions after few protesters who had vandalised artist Karan K's Rangoli, which was inspired by film Padmavati.

The Supreme Court has recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding a stay on the release of  Bhansali’s  film 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. CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi has slammed the film's makers for the private screening of Padmavati for a part of the media.
He accused the producers of Padmavati of attempting to “subvert” the due process followed by the film industry in India.