Padmavat: CBFC’s suggestions resulted in 300 cuts? Here’s the truth

Mumbai: The producers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavat haven’t yet issued an official statement to confirm the new release date of the film. However, speculations are rife that the controversial film starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh will hit the silverscreen on January 25.

The film in question has been in the eye of storm since its inception and was slated to release on December 1 last year. But the makers decided to postpone its release following nationwide protests by Rajput groups. Also, the film didn’t get a clearance certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification.

Prasoon Joshi, the CBFC Chief issued a certificate for screening in the last week of December after suggesting a few modifications.

There was a strong buzz hinting that CBFC’s suggestions demanded as many as 300 cuts in the film. But the body has refuted such reports.

On Tuesday, Joshi rubbished reports and said, “The makers have submitted the final film with agreed five modifications which has already been communicated and a U/A certificate has been given to the film. CBFC's process is complete and any further news about cuts is absolutely untrue. Let's refrain from utilising CBFC's name unnecessarily.”

A report by a daily reported that to suit the demands of the CBFC, "one of Bollywood's leading directors was sitting in the editing suite at Rajkamal Studio at Parel, turning the specific locations of his magnum opus into la la land".

The report further read that Padmavat director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been instructed to delete all references to Delhi, Chittorgarh and Mewar from the film and that "buzz is that they (the modifications) have resulted in as many as 300 cuts".

CBFC, in consultation with a special advisory panel, saw the movie last month and decided to grant the film a U/A certificate with five modifications, including title change and two disclaimers.

The film is expected to release across India on January 25 but will not hit theatres in Rajasthan. The state government has banned the film and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has confirmed the same.

(With IANS inputs)