Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today announced that Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s controversial movie “Padmavati” will not be released in the state.
Making the announcement, the chief minister said that the decision has been taken to ensure that the law and order is maintained in the state.
“The festival of elections is taking place in the state. In order to avoid any controversy, film ‘Padmavati’ will not be released in Gujarat until all the controversial issues related to the movie are resolved,” Rupani said.
Gujarat is the fourth state which has decided not to allow the screening of Bhansali’s movie. UP, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have already decided against allowing the screening of the movie.
The Uttar Pradesh government has said that it would not allow the movie's release till certain "controversial portions" are removed.
On Monday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan publically announced that the movie will not be screened in the state even if the censor board gives its nod for the release of the film. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia has also asserted that the movie will not be released in the state till necessary changes as per the suggestions given to the Centre were incorporated in it.
As far as the Congress is concerned, there seems to be a clear division in the party over the issue. While Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has justified the protests by saying that historical facts should not be distorted, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has supported Bhansali on the issue.
Slamming the ongoing protests against Bhansali’s yet-to-be-released movie, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that it reflected the existence of the state of “super emergency” in the country.
The film is based on Rajput queen Padmavati. Amid rumours that there was a romantic dream sequence between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji's characters, various Rajput and other groups have been protesting across the country, including in Rajasthan, against the film, alleging it "distorts" history and hurts sentiments of people.
However, India TV Editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma, after watching the movie, said that there was "not a single scene, dialogue or sequence in the film Padmavati that could hurt Rajasthani or Rajput pride".
Historians are, on the other hand, divided on whether Rani Padmavati even existed.
