Padmavat row: Sanjay Leela Bhansali moves HC, seeks quashing of FIR; 'will watch film first', says court

Jaipur: Film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Friday filed a plea before the Rajasthan High Court seeking quashing of an FIR lodged against him at Didwana in Merta in March last year in connection with his yet-to-be-released controversial film 'Padmavat'.

According to ANI, reacting to his plea, the court said that it would like to watch 's controversial film before taking a decision to allow its release in the state.

The court then posted the matter for hearing on January 23.

Earlier in the day, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had said that despite clearance from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), film 'Padmavat' will not be released in the state.

Gujarat is the second state after Rajasthan to have banned the screening of the controversial Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial.

Other states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, which had indicated that the film will not be allowed to be released in November, are yet to announce their final decisions.

The flick, based on the legend of Rani Padmini, a 13th century Hindu Rajput queen, mentioned in Padmavat, an Avadhi poem written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540, has been facing protests from various groups, particularly the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts.

The CBFC has suggested five modifications in 'Padmavati', which included changing the film's title to 'Padmavat', in December last year.

(With ANI inputs)