Lifting the ban, the Supreme Court allows ‘Padmaavat’ to have a pan-India release!

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is fighting against odds to get his film, ‘ Padmaavat ’ released. Even after getting passed by CBFC, the film got wholly banned in Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, leaving the makers of ‘ Padmaavat ’ in no other option than asking the Supreme Court to lift the ban. Their plea in Supreme Court has finally been heard and there is positive news for them. The SC today cleared the decks for the all-India release of controversial movie ’ Padmaavat ’ on January 25 and stayed notifications and orders issued by Rajasthan and Gujarat prohibiting exhibition of the film in their states. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also restrained any other state from issuing such notifications and orders prohibiting exhibition of the movie.

The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud observed that the states are obliged to maintain law and order. “We direct that there shall be a stay of operation on the notification and orders issued and we also restrain other states from issuing such notifications or orders in this matter,” the bench said in its interim order.

Asserting that the film has been cleared by the CBFC, the plea has said that the states cannot impose a blanket ban on a film and its screening can be suspended in a particular area or areas on account of law and order problem, not across the states. Politicians of all hues, including some chief ministers, recently made public statements on the film, with many of them being against it.

Even when the Supreme Court has given its final order, Members of Rajput Community have submitted a memorandum to Chhattisgarh Home Minister, Ramsewak Paikra demanding a ban on Padmaavat in their state. “Cinema halls screening the film would be burnt down. No changes hereafter are acceptable. We want a complete ban,” a member said while submitting the memorandum.

Well, only time will tell whether the movie will see the lights of the big screen or not. As an audience, we can only wait and watch. Helmed by Bhansali, ‘ Padmaavat ’ stars, Deepika Padukone , Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in pivotal roles and is scheduled to come out on 25th January.