‘Padmaavat’ row: As the release date is nearing, Gujarat cinemas refuse to screen the film

On Wednesday the Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel stated that most of the theatre owners in the state have voluntarily decided that they will not screen Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat’, as he highlighted that the state government was trying its best to maintain the law and order.


The comment was made by the Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel was on the same day when Karni Sena leader Lokendra Singh Kalvi issued a veiled threat suggesting there would be violence if the film releases despite them opposing it. And it will be a huge insult if the film releases on 25th January.


Patel said, “Most theatres have declined to screen the film, despite the green signal from the Supreme Court. They have taken the decision voluntarily. The government is trying its best to maintain law and order in the state. I respect the ethos of non-violence propagated by Mahatma Gandhi. I too believe that non-violence is absolutely necessary. Therefore, do not compel us to take to the path of violence.”


Satish Sharma, Surat police commissioner said, “Yesterday we had arrested 23 persons. Today, 19 more were arrested, including the two who misbehaved with a woman police officer. We have learnt that those arrested in connection with the violence in Katargam were members of Karni Sena, Mahakal Sena, and Bhavani Sena. Though we have assured police protection to cinema owners, they have informed us that none of them will screen the film on January 25. They also told us that the decision as to whether to screen the film on a later date will be taken afterwards.”


And the Supreme Court now has refused to modify its order, rejecting pleas filed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh governments and it has declared a nationwide release for the film.