PADMAVATI BEING RELEASED IN BRITAIN, CLEARED BY IT’S CENSOR BOARD

The most controvertial Magnum opus directed by the controvertial directer Sanjay Leela Bhansali having been banned in two states viz Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat where the government of BJP prevails, is all set for release in Britain as the British Board of Film Classification has given the film a go ahead and sources reveal that the date of release might be 1st of December, 2017.

The movie was slated for an all India release on 1st of December earlier but due to the enhanced controversy, media hype and threats of dire consequences to the director as well as the actors of the historical film the schedule of release was with held infinitely, as of now. The film made with the humongous budget of 180 crores is in controversy since the beginning as the Karni Sena headed by the the direct decendent of legendary Padmavat family, as claimed by him, Lokendra Singh Kalvi raised serious objections and organised protests all over the country including Rajasthan and Gujarat compounded with a press conference at the Press Club of India.

The matter became worse when some leaders of the Rajput Community in Haryana and other parts of the country issued fatwas of granting 10 crores to the one who would behead the director of the film sending shock waves all around. While there are charges and counter charges by the Karni Sena and various Rajput outfits and the makers of the film outrightly denying, putting the legendary Rajput queen in poor light, the protestors are hardly to relent saying that they will not agree in less than the movie going into dustbin. The director of the movie Bhansali has recently arranged the show for some selected senior journalists and writers and the editor in chief of India TV Rajat Sharma and veteran journalist Ved Pratap Vaidik openly came out in favour of the movie claiming that if the Karni Sena Chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi and those opposing the movie would see it for themselves, not only would they heartily embrace the Director of the film for showing Rani Padmavati in high esteem showing the bravery and valour of the Rajput queen Padmavati and Rattan Singh in correct perspective but for also highlighting Allauddin Khiljee as the brutal killer and a king with sexual lust.

There is nothing, not even the minutest of disrespect to the legendary queen as being propagated by the Karni Sena chief and other Rajput organisations. Despite all this what makes things worse and worrisome is the fact that whosoever is opposing the film have not seen it and are expressing their opposition on mere assumptions. They should have first watched the film for themselves and then arrive at the conclusion as to what exactly should be their future course of action instead of resorting to recourse for national protests and dire arbitrary threats of life to its makers and actors.

Sounds shocking that the issue is being politicised out of proportion and given a caste colour as elections in Gujarat are scheduled for next months and few other states are to go for election next year. The Rajput votes which is in abundance in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, its chief ministers have already banned the movie in two states and seems to be banned in other states as well.

Now, states like Uttarakhand are also witnessing such protests and the organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has also come into lime light sending clear signals that the issue has adopted religious and communal proportions. It is saddening to note that the state chief ministers instead of dealing with the maintenance of law and order situation seem to be more concerned in patronising the protestors and becoming judges themselves to decide the fate of the movie.

If it is so then what’s the relevance of the Central Board of Film Certification headed by Punya Prasoon Joshi an eminent literateur and film maker and his advisory council. It would have been in the fitness of the things, had the the organisors of the protest demonstrations demanding ban on the controvertial film would have first seen the movie for themselves or requested the CBFC to check the antecedents of the film and decide its future or destiny than to resort to such nation wide protests.

History has various interpretations and making of the film if plays with facts to hurt the sentiments of the community should definitely be banned. But one should first practically see it with his or her own eyes before arriving at any decision. However there are some historians who even say that legendary Queen Padmavati never existed. What do you say friends?

SUNIL NEGI