Gujarat joins Rajasthan, bans Padmavat
The Gujarat government today announced that the state will not go ahead with the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus, Padmavat.
Gujarat's Minister of State, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, noted the ban essential to maintain law and order in the state and said that it was issued in public interest.
The ban is imposed under the Gujarat Cinemas (Regulation) Act of 2004.
"In exercise conferred by sub-section 1 of section 6 of the Act, the government of Gujarat hereby imposes the ban on Hindi feature film 'Padmaavat'... No cinema owners or distributors shall exhibit the said movie in any cinema/multiplex/ video cinema/touring cinema within the jurisdiction of Gujarat," the notification said.
"We have learnt that the movie, originally named as 'Padmavati' will be released with a new name 'Padmaavat'. However, people across the country are against the movie, as they feel that history has been distorted. With this notification, the movie will be considered as a non-certified one and will not be screened in the state," said Jadeja.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had previously announced that the ban on Padmavat will continue despite the change in title.
Meanwhile, the makers of the film confirmed Padmavat's release on January 25.
Viacom18 Motion Pictures announced that the movie shall be released across the globe in three languages -- Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.
Get ready to witness the epic tale #Padmaavat on 25th January 2018, in theatres near you!Now also in 3D, Imax 3D, Tamil & Telugu! @filmPadmaavat @RanveerOfficial @shahidkapoor pic.twitter.com/K6vxrPYSK1
— Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) January 14, 2018
The Central Board of Film Certification cleared the film with a UA certificate on December 28.
The Censor Board called for necessary modifications -- including the name of the movie to be changed to Padmavat and changes made to the Ghoomar song -- in order to facilitate the film's release.
Various Rajput groups across the country have been staging protests against the film's release.
The Karni Sena, most vocal against Padmavat's release, recently staged a protest outside the CBFC office.
The group has also threatened to vandalise cinema halls screening the movie, despite the censor board's go-ahead.
(With inputs from agencies)