Maharashtra BJP minister seeks ban on 'Padmavati'

Maharashtra Tourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal today demanded a ban on the screening of the controversy-ridden film Padmavati in the state.

Rawal has also written a letter to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanding that the movie be shown to a committee of expert historians for scrutiny. "I have written a letter to the chief minister demanding a ban on the movie if it distorted historical facts," the BJP leader said.

He said any "objectionable scenes" in the movie should be deleted before its release is allowed. Rawal said he has written to the CBFC to cancel the "certificate given



to the movie" and that it be shown to a committee of expert historians.

"Requesting the CBFC to immediately cancel the certificate given to the movie Padmavati. A committee comprising expert historians be allowed to watch the movie and edit the defamatory fantasies for the language, script, and scenes which undermines, devalues and insults the great valour and sacrifice of Rani Padmavati which is being worshipped by lakhs of people," the letter read.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh is based on Rajput queen Padmavati.