SC dismisses plea seeking stay on Padmavati's release outside India
The SC has dismissed a second plea against 'Padmavati', which had sought a stay on its release outside India. Lawyer ML Sharma had sought filing of a case against the makers for defamation and violation of the Cinematography Act, among others. The SC also rebuked people in 'responsible positions holding public offices' for commenting on 'Padmavati' even before the censor board had certified it.
After India heckled, booed and threatened it, 'Padmavati' has now been cleared for release in the UK. Amusingly, the Karni Sena has warned it will burn theatres in Britain if they screen it. However, the producers have said they will wait for the Indian censor board to clear the film first: it will be screened in India before Britain, they insist.
In Britain, 'Padmavati' has been cleared for release without any cuts with a 12A rating: children under 12 can't watch it unless accompanied by an adult. Comments on the film on the censor board website say "moderate violence, injury detail." Meanwhile, after quashing an earlier plea seeking its ban, the SC has agreed to hear another requesting a stay on release of Padmavati outside India.
The Indian censor board earlier returned Padmavati's certification application, attributing the decision to incomplete paperwork and non-submission of several important documents. According to reports, it hasn't watched the film yet. Rules say a movie has to be submitted at least 68 days before release.
MP, which has banned the film, now says it will include a chapter on Padmavati in the state's school syllabus. "Our children will get to know about her greatness from books and not from distortions," said CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Apart from MP, Punjab, Rajasthan and UP have banned the movie. Gujarat also recently joined this list.
Meanwhile, the Karni Sena has changed its stance: earlier they wanted Padmavati screened before its representatives, but has agreed to withdraw protests if Mewar's erstwhile royal family approves it. Earlier, Arvind Singh Mewar, a descendant of Rawal Ratan Singh, had said he was ready to mediate. One Karni Sena member said they'll go to the "international court" to get the movie banned, if needed.
