Mumbai, Dec. 30 (Agencies): The Central Board of Film Certification said on Saturday it has decided to give Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmavati a UA certificate if the director change the title to Padmavat, the 16th century epic on which it is based.
Sections of Rajputs had opposed the film vehemently, claiming that it distorts history and offends the memory of the Rajput princess Padmavati. Historians are divided on whether Padmavati the princess existed.
The film’s December 1 release was deferred as the protests turned a simple certification into a sensitive matter.
The CBFC said its examining committee met on December 28 and decided to give the film a “UA certification along with some modifications and likely change of the film's title on the basis the attributed material/creative source”.
Bhansali had earlier appeared before a parliamentary panel.
The Rs 150-crore period drama—featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh—is based on the epic Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi.
The board also suggested modifications in disclaimers, adding one regarding not glorifying the practice of sati, and also changes in the song Ghoomar to befit the character portrayed.
CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi was present at the meeting, which was also attended by regular examining committee members, along with other censor board officials.
”The film was approached with a balanced view keeping in mind both the filmmakers and the society,” the CBFC said.
Considering the complexities and concerns around the film, the CBFC appointed a “special panel” to add perspective to its own decision.
The special panel had Arvind Singh from Udaipur, Dr Chandramani Singh and Prof 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,” the CBFC said.
Bhansali Productions, which has co-produced the film with Viacom, had written to the CBFC requesting that a panel of historians and academicians and members of the Rajput community view the film.
The film's final 3D application was submitted on November 28, the CBFC said.
It said the modifications and CBFC's decision regarding this film was shared with the producers, who attended the feedback session after the screening and agreed to the changes.
