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Supreme Court stayed the notification by Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat banning Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film ‘Padmaavat’. The apex court gave a green signal to the film’s release on Thursday, 18 January.
Senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for the producers argued that banning the film across states would destroy the federal structure.
The Gujarat government reacted to the judgement saying it will study the Supreme Court order before taking a decision on Padmaavat’s screening in the state.
The film had been banned by the states despite the CBFC clearing the film with an U/A certificate and modifications. The producers of the Deepika Padukone-Shahid Kapoor-Ranveer Singh-starrer moved Supreme Court against the ban on Wednesday, 17 January.
According to the producers, there cannot be blanket bans across states when the makers have followed all of CBFC’s suggestions and changed the name of the film as well. According to previous Supreme Court precedent, states should only restrict screenings where clear law and order situation exists.
A Supreme Court bench headed by CJI Deepak Mishra heard the petition on Thursday.
Karni Sena however, is not daunted by the verdict. They are openly threatening to take law into their own hands.
Protesters are threatening to vandalise cinema halls where Padmaavat releases.
What’s more, women from the Jauhar Kshatriya Manch have threatened to perform “jauhar” or mass self-immolation on January 24 - Padmaavat is slated to release on 25 January.
Check out what protesters have to say:
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