UP: Fate of Padmavat still hangs in balance

Lucknow: Even as the release date of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s controversial Padmavat draws near, the fate of the film in Uttar Pradesh continues to hang in balance. The Yogi Adityanath government has not categorically said that it would allow the film to be screened in the state. A home department official has stated two days ago that there was no order to ban the proposed release of the film as yet.

However, he added on a cautious note, “In view of protests from certain quarters, we are keeping a close watch on the developments”.

The state unit of Karni Sena announced on Saturday that they would not allow the film to be released in UP.

“Removing ‘i’ from ‘Padmavati’ or putting up a disclaimer will not assuage feelings. These tricks will not turn history into fiction, as is being claimed. We will accept nothing short of a ban on the film”, said Karni Sena spokesperson Dr Himanshu Singh.

He said that the Karni Sena had appealed to all chief ministers not to allow the film to be screened in their state and Rajasthan had accepted their demand. “We have sought an appointment from Yogi Adityanath and we will convince him to ban the film”, he said.

The Karni Sena spokesperson also slammed the Censor Board for adopting a populist approach and clearing he film for exhibition. Meanwhile, the fresh salvo fired by the Karni Sena has put the multiplex owners in a dilemma.

Groups of Karni Sena supporters went around multiplexes in Lucknow  on Friday and Saturday, warning the management not to screen Padmavat or be prepared to face the consequences.

The manager of a multiplex chain said that they would like to be doubly sure before screening the film which is scheduled to release on January 25.

“We cannot take any risk and expose our multiplex to violent elements,”  he said.