Following the postponement of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Padmavati's release, the studio which co-bankrolled the project, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures has reportedly released a very cogent statement regarding the film:
"Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind Padmavati has voluntarily deferred the release date of the film from December 1st, 2017. Along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, amongst the most gifted filmmakers of his generation, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures has created a beautiful, cinematic masterpiece in Padmavati that captures Rajput valour, dignity and tradition in all its glory. The film is an eloquent portrayal of a tale that will fill every Indian with pride and showcase our country's story-telling prowess across the globe. We are a responsible, law-abiding corporate citizen, and have the highest respect and regard for the law of the land all our institutions and statutory bodies including the CBFC .We always have and are committed to continue following the established procedure and convention. We have faith that we will soon obtain the requisite clearances to release the film. We will announce the revised release date of the film in due course. We stand firm in our commitment to tell endearing tales that resonate with our audiences world over as we have in the past."
One of the widest controversies in the country right now is the issue surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming epic film, Padmavati. The film starring Deepika Padukone in the titular role, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor and others is currently all set and ready to hit the screens very soon.
Karni Sena, a group from Rajasthan, had sought a ban on the film, citing that they will be tarnishing their history and the story of Maharani Padmavati. The most recent development on this issue was that Karni Sena had openly stated that they would reward Rs.10 crore to anybody who will behead Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. This statement was also supported by a BJP leader from Haryana.
Following this, the team of Padmavati had arranged a special screening of the film for journalists, which included top journalist Arnab Goswami. After watching the show, an awestruck Arnab, took to his channel to talk about the film. This is what he had to say;
"I realized in the 3 hours of watching this beautiful epic, how easy it is to provoke millions of Indian. If the version shown to me is the version that will go to the theaters, then this film will be the greatest tribute to the Rajput pride. Every scene in this film is a fluid cinematic tribute to Rani Padmavati's greatness. Karni Sena will be left looking utterly foolish after this film releases. Far from an intimate moment, Alauddin Khilji and Padmavati (Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone), do not even share a single frame together. The people who have been threatening acid attacks and ravaging theaters will be laughed at, across the country. Vandalism will look politically sponsored. There isn't even a nanosecond of vulgarity. The romance between Rana Ratan Singh and Padmavati has also been portrayed very delicately. The BJP should reconsider the prospect of embarrassing themselves by joining the Karni Sena's side. Not one scene in this film needs a censor's scissors. Padmavati, with her greatness in this film will prove the Karni Sena wrong."