CBFC Passes ‘Padmavati’ With a Title Change and UA Certification

Deepika Padukone’s ‘Padmavati’ to be renamed ‘Padmavat’.

Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in a scene from Padmavati.

(Photo Courtesy: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Productions)

The ordeal  seems to be ending for filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and  his producers Viacom 18 Motion Pictures.

The  Examining Committee of the CBFC viewed the film Padmavati on  28 December and  passed the film with a UA certificate subject to some cuts and the alteration of title of the film from Padmavati to Padmavat.

Other key modifications involve those of the disclaimers, pertinently adding one  regarding not glorifying the practice of Sati and also relevant modifications in the song Ghoomar...  to befit the character portrayed.

The meeting consisted of the regular examining committee members along with the CBFC officials and a special advisory panel in presence of the Chairman Prasoon Joshi.

The film was approached with a balanced view keeping in mind both the  filmmaker’s artistic freedom and the issues raised by certain groups regarding historical accuracy. Considering the complexities and concerns around the film, the requirement for a special panel was felt by CBFC to add perspective to the final decision of the official CBFC committee.

The special panel consisted of a royal, Shri Arvind Singh from Udaipur, and historians Dr Chandramani Singh and Prof KK Singh of the Jaipur University. The members of the panel had insights and also some reservations regarding the claimed historical events and socio-cultural aspects which were duly discussed at length.

The filmmakers, BhansaIi Productions, in a written communication to CBFC had also requested that a panel of historians/academicians and members of the Rajput community view the film. The film's final 3D application was submitted on 28 November.

Having a specialist panel at CBFC has been in practice in earlier circumstances as well. Aarakshan, a film for which an eminent panel representing a concerned group was created and for Jodhaa Akbar wherein historical experts were called in.

The modification details and CBFC’s decision regarding Padmavati was shared with the producers and the director Bhansali who attended the feedback session post the screening and  are in agreement with the modifications.

The certificate as per procedure will be issued once the required modifications are carried out and final material submitted.