Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat has faced a series of hurdles from the very beginning. Here is a timeline of the troubles the film faced since it started shooting in December 2016.
January 2017
Karni Sena barges in on the Padmavati (now Padmaavat) sets to vandalise property. Members of Karni Sena assault director Sanjay Leela Bhansali at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur.
March 2017
Fringe elements vandalise Padmini Mahal in Rajasthan and shatter the historic mirrors. The film set shifts to Kolhapur. Unidentified men attack that set as well with swords and petrol bombs. A clarification by Bhansali states that no dream sequence or anything objectionable has been filmed.
September 2017
First posters of Padmavati announce the film's release date - December 1. In a second round of protests, Karni Sena burn posters of the film outside Jaipur's Rajmandir Cinema Hall. The district president of Karni Sena demands to see the film before the release.
October 2017
Surat-based artist's rangoli inspired by Deepika Padukone is destroyed. She tweets to Smriti Irani to take action against the vandals. BJP writes to the Election Commission, CBFC, and the Central government to temporarily hold the release of the film.
November 2017
Karni Sena threatens to cut Deepika Padukone's nose. Meerut-based leader offers Rs 5 crore for beheading Bhansali and Padukone. Bhansali releases a video clarifying that Rajput pride and honour has been kept in mind while filming. The CBFC sends the film back saying that its application is "incomplete". BJP office bearer offers to double the bounty and threatens to break Ranveer Singhs's legs. Protesters seek a ban as Rajasthan, Gujarat, UP, Bihar and Karnataka launch protests. As the film inches towards release on December 1, entry to Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh Fort is blocked. As protests intensify, the filmmakers defer the release.
“It’s appalling, it’s absolutely appalling. What have we gotten ourselves into? And where have we reached as a nation? We have regressed.”Deepika Padukone, Actor
December 2017
Karni Sena calls for a ‘bandh’ on December 1, the original release date of the film. CBFC seeks the opinion of historians and the Mewar Royal Family for certification. Five modifications are suggested by the panel and they also ask for a change of the title by which Padmavati becomes Padmaavat.
January 2018
The filmmakers announce the new release date - 25 January. Full page ads with more clarifications are issued. Padmaavat receives clearance from the CBFC. The producers move the Supreme Court against the film being banned in 4 states. SC stays the ban in ensuring an all India release.
Karni Sena representatives say they have watched the film and have no objection to the film’s release. Violence erupts across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Jammu and Rajasthan.
Edit: Kammaljit Kainth
Producers: Vinu Joseph, Almas Khateeb
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