CBFC clears Padmavati with U/A certification after title change

After a year of threats, violence, debates, and lawsuits, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial film on the legendary queen of Chittor has finally been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The board cleared the film after suggesting a title change. The film will now be called Padmavat after the epic poem which inspired the tale of Rani Padmavati. 

The examining committee finally viewed the film on 28 December, in the presence of a special advisory panel of historians, and CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi. The committee then passed the film suggesting 26 cuts, and a change in the title to Padmavat. 

Reports suggest that the other alterations suggested by the committee include a decision to not glorify the practice of sati, and changes to the depiction in the already released song 'Ghoomar'. 

The special advisory panel included a royal in the form of Arvind Singh of Udaipur and historians Dr Chandramani Singh and Dr KK Singh of Jaipur University. 

Earlier, director Bhansali had written to the CBFC requesting a panel of historians and academics suggested by the Rajput community to view the film. Bhansali's film, based on the epic poem, Padmavat, by 14th century sufi poet, Malik Muhammed Jayasi, revolves around the story of the legendary Rajput queen, Padmini. 

The film will also have a disclaimer running before every screening making a clarification. 

Bhansali Productions submitted the film's 3D copy on 28 November. The certification will be issued once the modifications are made, and the final material is received by the CBFC panel.