The Supreme Court has given its nod for the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat in four states — Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh — which had banned the film despite the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearing it for release.
News agency ANI tweeted the order, “Supreme Court stays notification by Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, grants green signal to release of the film #Padmaavat.”
The apex court also asked the governments of the states to maintain law and order while the film is released in theatres. It also pointed out that the film is already cleared by the CBFC to be screened anywhere in India.
“Supreme Court, in its interim order said, all states are constitutionally obliged to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident during the screening of the film across India, a permission granted by CBFC. #Padmaavat,” said another tweet by the news agency.
The makers of the film, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, had approached the SC yesterday, which had decided to hear the matter today.
Starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, Padmaavat is scheduled to be released on 25 January.
However, the Rajput Karni Sena, that has been violently opposing the film and issuing death threats to the film’s crew, had recently vowed to stall the release of the film by force.