New Delhi: The furore over Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati has reached the United Kingdom with the Rajput groups in London planning protests against the British censor board’s all-clear to the controversial film.
The film, whose released has been deferred in India following massive protests, was cleared uncut by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
"'Padmavati' (12A) moderate violence, injury detail," stated the official website of the British censor board. "All known versions of this work passed uncut," it said. The 12A rating means the film cannot be viewed in UK by a child under 12 years unless accompanied by an adult.
A functionary at Viacom 18, the makers of Padmavati, however, said there was no plan to release the film globally without it being cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), India’s censor board.
"The film was cleared by the UK censor board without any cuts. But we are waiting for censor clearance in India. Till then we will not release the film anywhere," PTI quoted a source as saying.
The London Rajput Samaj has, however, shot off a letter to the British censor board, asking it to reconsider its decision.
Speaking to CNN-News18, Mahendra Singh Jadeja, president of the Rajput Samaj of United Kingdom, said, “We as Rajputs are very concerned about the Padmavati situation. We have written to the BBFC…. We also have plans to campaign and protest to ensure that this film is not released in the UK."
“We are asking for legal opinion and want to remain within the law. This is not the first time that he (Bhansali) is distorting the history. This time we are sure that the entire story is being distorted. We want to make sure that the people are made aware of the real story and not the creative story which is being shown to the public just to make money," Jadeja said.
When contacted, the BBFC said it does not comment on straightforward classification decisions.
Padmavati has been facing the wrath of various Rajput groups and political leaders, who have accused Bhansali of distorting history.
Many groups have been protesting amid rumours that there was a romantic dream sequence between Rajput queen Padmini and Allauddin Khilji. However, Bhansali said in an appeal that there was no dream sequence and it was all a rumour.
The movie stars Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji.
Historians are divided on whether Padmini actually existed. She finds mention in the 16th century epic poem Padmavat.
Earlier scheduled to arrive in cinema halls on December 1, the release date of the film has now been postponed by the makers till further notice.
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