New Delhi, Nov 20: The Supreme Court on Monday ruled out banning Deepika Padukone-starrer Padmavati, saying it can not assume the role of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). “The censor board has a role and the Supreme Court cannot assume that role. Why should the court interfere to stop the release of a movie which has not been cleared by the censor board?” the top court said.
While the Supreme Court refused to interfere in the matter, top politicians finally broke silence over the controversy surrounding the movie which is based on the life of Rajput queen Padmavati who set herself on fire before she could be taken captive by Delhi sultan Alauddin Khilji. While many historians have claimed Padmavati to be a fictitious character, fringe groups like Karni Sena have declared a war against the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika.
Politicians cutting across party lines have opposed film’s release providing an impetus to nation-wide protests. From Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh, leaders said ‘distortion’ of historical facts won’t be tolerated by the people. Bhansali has repeatedly denied there being any romance sequencing between Khilji and Padmavati in the movie but his appeals to allow the movie be released on December 1 has so far failed to quell the protests.
