What is the point of having CBFC? Official on Padmavati being shown to media before certification

Up until now, Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, his actors and producers were fighting fringe groups who want the film to be banned, but the makers have now invoked the ire of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The censor board is upset that the makers held a private screening of the film for a few members of the media even before it has been certified.

“Disappointing that Padmavati is being screened for media and getting reviewed on national channels without CBFC having seen or certified the film. This compromises role of systems and balances that are part of a functioning industry,” Joshi told the news agency Associated News of India.

Yesterday, broadcast journalists Arnab Goswami and Rajat Sharma stated that they had watched the entire film and found nothing objectionable in it.

“After watching the entire film, I can emphatically say that there is not a single dialogue, not a single scene, not a single sequence that can be said to go against the proud history of the Rajputs of Rajasthan,” Sharma said on his prime time show, Aaj Ki Baat on India TV.

“Sanjay Leela Bhansali has directed the film after conducting full research. While filming the scenes and sequences, he has kept in mind the need to respect the Rajput traditions and etiquettes. There has been no distortion of history in the entire film. I sincerely feel that the valour of Rawal Ratan Singh, the strategic mind of Queen Padmavati, their bravery and sacrifice have been correctly portrayed in Bhansali’s film,” added Sharma.

“If the version shown to me is the version that goes to the theatres, then viewers, this film is the greatest ever tribute to Rajput pride. Every scene of the film is a fluid cinematic tribute to Rani Padmavati’s greatness. If Rani Padmavati were to be a myth, she shall now be a greater myth. And if she’s part of our history, which she is, then she shall be entrenched even deeper in our history,” Goswami said on his show, The Debate on Republic TV.

Goswami slammed the Rajput Karni Sena, reminding them that there is no dream sequence whatsoever in the film.

“This Karni Sena will be left looking utterly foolish once the film hits the box office. Far from having any intimate moment, Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh) and Padmavati (Deepika Padukone), don’t even share  a single frame together in the film. Every moment in the film is dedicated to the valour of the Rajput tradition,” added Goswami.

Meanwhile, speaking to Cinestaan.com, a CFBC member sounded pretty upset with Padmavati makers holding private screening for the media.

“If your film has not been certified, and you hold private screening then what is the point of having a CBFC? If a news channel starts taking a position on the film, with the CBFC not seeing the film yet, then that makes the whole process of certification redundant,” said the CBFC member.

A few days ago, Viacom18 Motion Pictures COO Ajit Andhare had stated they were willing to show the film to the agitating groups, but only after the CBFC cleared their film.

Padmavati producers ready to show film to Rajput representatives

“If that is the case, then why are they breaking their own rule? Can the makers of this film make up of their mind as to what they want to do? Do they want to create a tamasha in the media by holding private screenings or do they want their film to be certified?,” asked the CBFC member.

Apparently, the CBFC has not even seen a single frame of the film. It was reported yesterday that the CFBC has asked the makers to resend the film for certification due to a technical error.

Commenting on it, the member said, “Neither Prasoon Joshi nor anyone has seen a single frame of the film. As far as as I have learnt, there was a documentation error on the part of the makers. If you want your film to be shown in 3D then why would would you send a 2D copy? You cannot give a 2D film and ask for 3D certification. The process of documentation has to be correct, only then will the examining committee watch the film.”

Padmavati is slated to be released on 1 December.