UP government asks Centre to postpone Padmavati release date

The Uttar Pradesh government has urged the Centre to postpone the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati in the state, as they believe the film can create serious law and order issues.

This comes in view of the civic polls starting 22 November in the state. The counting of votes will take place on 1 December. This date coincides with Padmavati's release, and the Muslim festival Barawafat, the next day. 

Arvind Kumar, UP principal secretary (home), wrote to the information & broadcasting ministry asking them to make the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) aware of the public outrage towards the film for its alleged distortion of historical facts.  

The letter read, “It has come to the notice through intelligence reports that the film’s producers have presented the movie for censor board clearance. After the release of the trailer of the movie on 9 October, various social and other organizations opposed the film.” 

The letter also mentions the song ‘Ghoomar’ and the alleged love angle between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji, despite Bhansali clarifying that there is no such sequence between both the characters. “Various social, cultural and other organizations have staged protests after the launch of the trailer on 9 October, stating that the film has shown a Ghoomar dance by Rani Padmavati and her love affair with Allauddin Khilji, which is not mentioned in any history book,” said the letter. 

The DGP (director general of Police) of UP, Sulkhan Singh, has also asked the force to be extra vigilant outside malls and ensure riot control measures in case of an untoward incident. 

Padmavati, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, is scheduled to be released in India on 1 December and internationally on 30 November.