Amid raging protests by the Rajput community and other right wing organisations against the alleged distortion of history involving Rani Padmini in Sanjay leela Bhansali’s forthcoming film, the makers of the Padmavati on Sunday deferred indefinitely the date of release of the controversial film which was earlier slated to hit screens on December 1, 2017.

Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind Padmavati, announced its decision to defer the release of the film for an indefinite period, a day after Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje wrote to I&B Minister Smriti Irani requesting the latter not to allow the release of Padmavati without the director making the changes demanded by the aggrieved community and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) sent back the movie Padmavati to the makers without certification on the ground that it did not contain a disclaimer specifying whether it was a work of fiction or a historical.

Though Viacom18 Motion Pictures described its decision to defer the release date of the film from December 1 as “voluntary”, the fact remains that the makers of Padmavati have been tremendous pressure from various right-wing organisations, particularly the Shri Rajput Karni Sena (SRKS) that is spear-heading the nation-wide protests against the film.  

The protests against the film have assumed an ugly dimension during the last few days, especially in the wake of the leaders of protesting organisations scaling up the bounty on the heads of actor Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sanjay leela Bhansali to `10 crore and threatening to “break the legs” of Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of Alauddin Khilji who was “obsessed” about the legendary 13th Century Queen of Chittor. SRKS chief Mahipal Singh Makrana has even threatened to maim Deepika Padukone who plays the lead role in Padmavati, if she “continues to provoke the protesters”.  

“Along with Sanjay leela Bhansali, among the most gifted film makers of his generation, Viacom18 Motion Pictures has created a beautiful cinematic masterpiece in Padmavati that captures Rajput valour, dignity and tradition in all its glory. The film is an eloquent portrayal of a tale that will fill every Indian with pride and showcase our country’s story-telling prowess across the globe,” the Viacom18 spokesperson said.

“We are a responsible, law-abiding corporate citizen and have the highest respect and regard for the law of the land and all our institutions and statutory bodies including the Central Board of Film Certification. We always have and are committed to continue following the established procedure and convention. We have faith that we will soon obtain the requisite clearances to release the film,” the spokesperson said.

Stating that Vicom18 viacom18 Motion Pictures would announce the revised date of release in “due course”, the company spokesperson said, “We stand firm in our commitment to tell endearing tales that resonate with our audiences the world over as we have in the past with our other projects such as ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, ‘Queen’, ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and many more”.

Several BJP functionaries, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, had expressed reservations about the “distortion” of history in the film.

While the Yogi Adityanath-led UP Government had gone to town saying that anticipated law and order disruption upon the film’s release, the ruling BJP in Gujarat, had asked the Election Commission to defer the release of the film till the State Assembly elections scheduled to be held next month.

In a statement issued on Saturday, CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi said, “In this specific case, the film’s application only came up this week for review. The makers know and admit that the paperwork is not complete. The very disclaimer, whether the film is a work of fiction or a historical, was left blank and not stated. On simply and legitimately being asked to provide important documents, they have targeted the CBFC for the delay. This is truly surprising”.

Meanwhile, BJP’s chief media coordinator for Haryana Suraj Pal Amu created a major in the political circles, as he announced a bounty of `10 crore on the heads of actress Deepika Padukone and Padmavati director Sanjay leela Bhansali

“I want to congratulate the Meerut youth who announced a `5 crore bounty for beheading Deepika Padukone and Sanjay leela Bhansali. We will reward those who behead them with `10 crore and also take care of their family’s needs,” stated a news report quoting Suraj Pal Amu told a cheering crowd.

Threatening actor Ranveer Singh, who plays Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khilji in Padmavati, for throwing his lot with Bhansali, Amu told the actor, “If you do not take your words back, we will break your legs”.