Will not ban 'Padmavati', says Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh noted that anything can be shown in the state as long it does not hurt anybody's religious sentiments.

He demanded the makers of the film to keep the integrity of the historical characters portrayed in the film and project historical events and facts in correct perspective.

Speaking at an event in Mohali, he noted that his government did not believe in media censorship and was totally against it.

"While different historical perspectives can be there, any attempt to completely falsify historical facts cannot be tolerated," he added.

This, he said, becomes even more necessary in an agewhen children acquire knowledge through the audio-visual medium rather than by reading alone.

While addressing the media at the event, he encouraged journalists and asked them to discharge their duties fearlessly, free from bias and with utmost sincerity.

He noted that his government would immediately clear the formalities for any media organisation wishing to operate in the state.

"We want the competition to grow so people get the news as they should be getting it," he said, according to an official release.

The Chief Minister alsonoted that media must be responsible in sharing information and news in a fair manner.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' has been mired in major controversy, drenched in allegations of distorting history in its storytelling.

Padmavati was scheduled to hit theatres all across in December which was later postponed to January 2018.

There are now fresh reports of the overseas distributors to have sent a schedule to Ameican/Canadian theatre chains with a release date scheduled for February 2018.

(With inputs from PTI)