Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus 'Padmavati' to get insured?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus 'Padmavati' is all set to release on December 1. But ever since the film's inception, members of the Rajput Karni Sena have raised issues that the film would distort the original history that it is based on. There have also been incidents where the sets for the film were burned down. Following such incidents, the makers of 'Padmavati' have now insured the film.

A unit member revealed, “As a policy, studios insure films, and 'Padmavati' also happens to be insured.” It's said that the insurance sum for 'Padmavati' is in excess of Rs 160 crore, but the distribution cover sum insured is yet to be declared." Another source from the insurance company said, “There is a policy, which covers loss of ticketing revenue due to riots, strike, malicious damage." A senior executive from a cinema chain added, “Exhibitors will not take the risk of showing a film if there is a threat or possibility of rioting as it seems likely in the case of 'Padmavati'. Damage to their properties can prove to be very expensive if enough police protection is not made available. As of today, there are three states where protests against the films are gaining momentum.”

Distributor and exhibitor Raj Bansal, who owns a cinema hall in Jaipur, said, “As of now, no distributor has been appointed in Rajasthan, but we also own cinema halls in Jaipur and are eager to screen 'Padmavati', but there are threats and every day we get pamphlets warning us to not screen the film. Naturally, we are cautious and would like the local administration to give us police protection so that the film gets screened in our cinema halls. If we don’t get proper police protection and if there are more problems then we will need to think about screening the film."

Prashant Solanki, an exhibitor from Valsad suggests, “The makers of the film should assure the protestors that there is no objectionable content in the film by showing them the film in advance so that there is no problem in the release of the film. Also, the Censor Board should look at the subject properly to see no facts are distorted and help both the parties sort out the issue amicably. Even the previous films 'Ram Leela' and 'Bajirao Mastani’s' releases were disrupted on the first day and later it became smooth. I know the stakes are very high for the producers and exhibitors."

Well, we certainly hope the film's release goes smoothly. Stay tuned for more updates.

Credits: PINKVILLA