A No Cuts Modified Version Of Padmavati Miffs The Mewar Royals – by Suhel Johar.

Padmavati To Be Released With No Cuts But Five Modifications. Film’s Title Changed To Padmavat

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has not suggested any cuts in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati, but has asked for five modifications for the film to get a UA certificate to facilitate the release of the film embroiled in controversy ever since the film went on the floors.

Yes, there are no cuts suggested in the film by CBFC -- only five modifications. These are as follows:

Firstly, to change the disclaimer clearly to one that does not claim historical accuracy.

Secondly, the title to be changed from Padmavati; the discussed change is to Padmavat as the film-makers have attributed their material/creative source as the fictional poem Padmavat and not history.

Thirdly, make modifications in the song Ghoomar to make the depiction befitting the character being portrayed.

Fourthly, modify the incorrect/misleading reference to historical places.

And lastly, add a disclaimer which clearly makes the point that the film in no manner subscribes to the practice of sati or seeks to glorify it.

The film-makers - the producers and director of the film have agreed to carry out the modifications as advised by the Censor Board.

 

The viewing took place late on the 28th December evening. Prasoon Joshi was present along with the examining committee members and a special panel. A long discussion ensued post the screening which the film-makers were met as well.

Considering the complexities and concerns around the film the requirement for a special panel was felt by the CBFC to add perspective to the final decision of the CBFC official committee. Apparently, the film-makers, Bhansali Productions, in a written communication to the CBFC, themselves requested a special panel of historians/academicians and members of the Rajput community to view the film.

 

Having a specialist panel at the CBFC has been done before. Two examples of these are: Aarakshan wherein an eminent panel representing a concerned group was created and also in case of Jodhaa Akbar wherein historical experts were called in.

The special panel consisted of Shri Arvind Singh from Udaipur, Dr Chandramani Singh and Professor K K Singh of Jaipur university. The members of the panel had insights and also some reservations regarding the claimed historical events and socio-cultural aspects which were duly discussed at length.

Padmavati, backed by Viacom18 Motion Pictures, is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and features Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles. The film, which was to release on December 1, has been embroiled in controversy over alleged distortion of facts regarding Rajput history, with Rajput outfits and some fringe groups backed by the BJP, actively protesting its release.

A Parliamentary committee summoned Bhansali in November to resolve the issue, and the filmmaker had clarified that the “controversy over the film is based on rumours”. “I have not distorted facts. The film is based on a poem by Malik Muhammad Jayasi,” referring to the 16th century Indian sufi poet’s epic poem Padmavat.

Reacting to the modifications suggested by CBFC in Padmavati the former Mewar royal sounds miffed as he describes the changes as mere cosmetic. The various Rajput groups, protesting against the film echo the sentiment, want nothing less than a ban on Padmavati. If their demands to ban the film are not met they threaten to vandalise halls upon its screening.