Padmavati: Election Commission refuses to stall film's release; Chittorgarh observes bandh

As per TV reports, the Election Commission (EC) has refused to stall the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming period drama Padmavati following Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Gujarat’s letter to the EC requesting the ban on or postponement of the film’s release.

Instead, the EC has sought a report from the poll panel on the issues the Rajput representatives have with the depiction of their culture and history in Padmavati.

Election Commission has sought a report from Gujarat poll panel on the ongoing row over Bhansali’s movie ‘Padmavati’ #PadmavatiForVotes pic.twitter.com/6FRcLkvGBM

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 3, 2017

The Times of India reports that the purpose of the pre-release screening was to “alleviate their raised tempers and provide fair opportunity to prevent unnecessary tension ahead of polls.” The same report quotes BJP spokesman and Kshatriya leader I K Jadeja as saying, “The party would prefer that Padmavati is either banned or its release postponed in poll-bound Gujarat.” While the film is slated to release on 1 December, the Gujarat polls will take place on 9 and 14 December. Meanwhile, the protests in Rajasthan continue. A bandh is being observed in Chittorgarh as a mark of protest against Padmavati’s release.

Protest in #Rajasthan against upcoming movie #Padmavati, bandh observed in #Chittorgarh pic.twitter.com/jOB07xVaGq

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2017

Shri Rajput Karni Sena has been protesting against the film’s release throughout this year as they believe that the period drama distorts historical facts pertaining their community. In October, a group of miscreants even destroyed a huge Padmavati-inspired rangoli that a Surat artist created on the occasion of Diwali. The action was condemned by the lead actress of the film Deepika Padukone, who plays the titular role of Rani Padmini.

Padmavati also stars Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor as Sultan Alauddin Khilji and Maharawal Ratan Singh respectively. It also stars Jim Sarbh and Aditi Rao Hydari. It is co-produced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Bhansali Productions. The Hollywood Reporter states that Paramount Pictures will distribute the film in the USA as well as globally, outside India.

(Also read — Padmavati: Will Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s vision be adversely affected by 3D conversion?)