‘Padmaavat’ row: Karni Sena protesters reach CBFC office

Finally after facing constant trouble Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film ‘Padmaavat’ is all set to release on January 25th, but still, the fringe group continue to protest against the film. There is tight security outside the CBFC office in Mumbai, as the Karni Sena workers had landed to stage a protest against the release of ‘Padmaavat’. A number of fringe group workers have also been confined at the spot. The Karni Sena workers claim that just by changing the name the film is not sufficient.


The president of Karni Sena Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi had threatened to surround the CBFC office. Through the course of the day, thousands are expected to join the protest. The Karni Sen has also demanded that the chief of CBFC Prasoon Joshi to resign. The president said, "The CBFC which has been running ever since the time of Britishers doesn't know how to work. From the past one and a half year, we have been talking peacefully but now it is time to take up the path of aggression.”


A protestor outside the CBFC office said, “We don't trust anyone before we have seen the film ourselves. We have faith in our government, but we do not trust the filmmaker. Going by the trailer and whatever we have seen so far, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has hurt Rajput sentiments and glory.”


The CBFC had cleared the film with 5 modifications and even suggested to change the name of the film and it has given a U/A certificate for the film. The title was then finalised to ‘Padmaavat’. On December 28, the CBFC made the all the decisions, also the changes include those pertaining to disclaimers, one regarding not glorifying the practice of Sati and even relevant modifications in the song ‘Ghoomar’.


The Karni Sena wants a complete ban on the film and the organization has decided to impose a Janata Curfew at cinema halls, who choose to screen the movie. The activists won’t let the people enter the cinema halls. The Sena would also approach the chief minister of states, including Delhi, to impose a ban.


The film ‘Padmaavat’ has been banned in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, but on Goa, they clarified it on Monday that the movie could be released there. “'Padmavat' has been given a censor certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The state government does not have a problem to screen it in the cinema halls in Goa," Parrikar said. But the Goa Police have written a letter to the state government asking to ban the movie's screening in the state during peak tourist season.