Team Padmaavat is out to salvage a scary situation. After announcing January 25 as its official release date, now it is revealed that the film will have paid previews across theatres in India the previous day. Other than the states which have banned the film, the rest of the country will see the film releasing the night before PadMan, on January 24. Apparently, the distributors of Padmaavat are likely to reimburse the film that is scheduled for the 9.30 pm show that day and screen the magnum opus instead. There will be only one paid preview across India.
In another surprise move, the producers of the beleaguered film have moved the Supreme Court after six states stated that they will not allow the film to be released. The apex court has also agreed to hear their plea that the matter be heard urgently after the ban on its release by various state governments.
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The controversy surrounding the yet-to-be-released film refuses to die, as Haryana has joined Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand in deciding not to release the period film starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor. The main point of contention is the film’s storyline revolving around Rajput Queen Padmini, who, legend has it, preferred death to dishonour and chose not to give herself up to Delhi's Sultan Alauddin Khilji. After its December 1 release was deferred, the film had been given the go-ahead by the Central Board of Film Certification, which had asked for a title change and other modifications.
While it appears that the makers are attempting to gain the first-mover advantage, the view is also that the paid preview could help garner a positive response from audiences on social media, leading to increase footfall on the following day of its proper release.
Incidentally, yesterday the Allahabad High Court yesterday issued a contempt notice to CBFC Chairperson Prasoon Joshi in connection with a petition against Padmavaat, seeking a ban on the film for allegedly promoting Sati - the practice of a widow immolating herself in her husband's funeral pyre.
