The Supreme Court today dismissed a plea seeking a stay on the release of the Bollywood film, Padmavati, saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) considers all aspects before granting a certificate to any film. The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, said there were enough guidelines to be followed by the Censor Board to grant certification to a film before its release.
The plea filed by Siddharajsinh M Chudasama and 11 others, has also sought the setting up of a committee of eminent historians in order to check the truthfulness of the script so as to prevent any inaccuracy in the portrayal of Rani Padmavati. The petitioners had sought a stay on the release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed period film, till the alleged historical inaccuracies in the film can be corrected by the producer and the director.
Among those demanding that the film be previewed by groups objecting to it, are Diya Kumari, a BJP lawmaker whose grandfather was the last maharajah of Jaipur. The Rajasthan government, as disclosed by Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, is now considering the option of forming a committee to look into issues related to Padmavati in Rajasthan. Historians will also feature among members of the committee.
The opposition to the film, expected to release on December 1, has been incessant. Union minister Uma Bharti has also added to the protest, saying that the "honour of Indian women" must be correctly portrayed, as she urged the filmmakers to engage with critics, historians and representatives of groups that have objected to the film.
