Threats & bounties multiply, Madhya Pradesh bans Padmavati’s release  

Even though the Supreme Court has rejected plea to ban Padmavati and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is yet to take a call on the movie, Madhya Pradesh has become first BJP ruled state to ban Padmavati, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's historical drama for “distorting facts.” Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Monday that even if the movie is passed by the CBFC for release in the country, it won't make it to the screens in the state.

His comment followed a meeting he had with representatives of the Rajput community here on Monday morning. According to sources, Madhya Pradesh BJP President Nandkumar Singh Chauhan led a group of Rajput community representatives, to discuss the Padmavati issue with Chouhan.

Previously, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Uttar Pradesh government had written letters to the Union Information and Broadcasting minister Smriti Irani, demanding that the movie should not be released “without cuts”. Both the governments apprehended that release of film could lead to serious “law and order problems”.

Notably, some journalists including Ved Pratap Vaidik, Rajat Sharma and Arnab Goswami—who are believed to be close to BJP and were present in the special screening of the film Padmavati, have supported Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial. Describing the movie as the biggest tribute to the Rajputs, they asserted that there is absolutely “nothing that hurts Rajput pride”.

After no legal action was taken against those announcing bounty to chop off Deepika’s nose, comparing her with ‘Surpanakha’, more Taliban and IS like threats have started to emerge. Harayna BJP chief media coordinator Suraj Pal Amu on Sunday said that he would reward ₹10 crore to those who behead Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone.

Mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his “Bhaaiyon aur Behenon” invocation, he said, “You (PM Modi) will have to speak. Even if I have to resign from my post, you will have to speak, Modi Ji.” Among others, Kshatriya Samaj has announced a reward of ₹5 crore on beheading Deepika Padukone whereas Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha has also put a reward of ₹1 crore to anyone burning the Bollywood actress alive so that the actress “realises how Rani Padmavati felt when she performed Jauhar to save her modesty.”

Meanwhile, Veteran actor Shabana Azmi has lashed out at Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Speaking to media, Azmi said that Raje was 'sitting pretty' on the issue. Also, filmmaker Shyam Benegal—who helmed a committee to recommend reforms in the censor board's working has questioned the CBFC on its decision to send back the film and termed its actions as 'suspicious'. “I must say the CBFC is behaving very strangely in the matter of Padmavati. If the film did not carry a disclaimer it could easily be corrected. Why send the film back? Again it seems very suspicious,” said Benegal.

After the Supreme Court refused the plea seeking to ban the release of controversial historical drama, the erstwhile royal family of Mewar wrote to PM Modi, Union ministry of information and broadcasting and the CBFC to withhold permission to release the film.

Meanwhile, Viacom18, the producers of Padmavati have deferred the film's release.