Padmaavat: Now, Rajasthan bans the film keeping public interest in mind

After Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, Rajasthan is the fourth state to officially ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat. The film, that is scheduled to release in theaters on January 25th will not be releasing in Rajasthan, a notice by the Rajasthan government said.

According to the notice, the movie has been banned keeping public interest in mind, and to maintain law and order situation in the state.

"The Government of Rajasthan considers it necessary to do so in public interest, to maintain the law and order situation," said the order issued by the Home Department of the Rajasthan government.

"This ban on exhibition of the film shall come into effect from [January 17, 2018]. No cinema owner or distributor shall exhibit the said movie in any Cinema/Multiplex/Video cinema/Touring cinema etc within the jurisdiction of the state of Rajasthan," the order added.

A few days earlier, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje had also announced the film will not be screened in any theater in the state.

"Rani Padmini’s sacrifice is associated with honour, esteem and pride of the state, so Rani Padmini is not merely a history chapter for us, but is our self-esteem. We will not allow her dignity to be hurt howsoever,” the CM had said in a statement.

The film has been riddled with controversy for a long time. It was earlier scheduled to release on December 1, 2017, but the film was not given a certification until January first week when the CBFC demanded a change in the title of the film- from Padmavati to Padmaavat- and asked for 5 modifications and cleared it for a commercial release. 

Fringe outfit Rajput Karni Sena had raised opposition against the content of the film stating it dishonoured Queen Padmini of Chittor. The makers have categorically stated that the film, in no way dishonours the Rajput queen. 
Bhansali has stated that the film is based on Jayasi's poem Padmavat. The film stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead roles.