It doesnt take much for veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan to make someone happy.&nbsp;

Most recent example is that of Ranveer Singh, who got a surprise on Monday when he received a heartfelt handwritten letter from the legenadary actor praising him on account of his pwoerful acting display in &quot;Padmaavat&quot;.&nbsp;

The epic movie hit theatres on January 25 and has ever since its release, earned Ranveer his fair share of accolades.&nbsp;

Film critics and viewers alike have enjoyed his acting on th big screen.&nbsp;

On getting the letter, Ranveer felt overwhelemed by the gesture and thus called the latter his &#39;award&#39;. He took to Twitter to share a picture of the note and a bouquet that senior actor sent him after watching the film.&nbsp;

Ranveer wrote: &quot;Mujhe mera award mil gaya (I have got my award) @SrBachchan.&quot;

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Mujhe mera award mil gaya ????????????<a href="https://twitter.com/SrBachchan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SrBachchan</a> <a href="https://t.co/zlo9B6G2od">pic.twitter.com/zlo9B6G2od</a>
&mdash; Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/RanveerOfficial/status/958062973775380480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Amitabh Bachchan also praised Ranveer and sent a handwritten note in 2015, after watching &quot;Bajirao Mastani&quot;.

In &quot;Padmaavat&quot;, Ranveer Singh was seen alongwith&nbsp;Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Aditi Rao Hydari and Raza Murad.

The veteran actor wrote a heartfelt handwritten letter praising Ranveer Singh's acting in 'Padmaavat'

It doesnt take much for veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan to make someone happy. Most recent example is that of Ranveer Singh, who got a surprise on Monday when he received a heartfelt handwritten letter from the legenadary actor praising him on account of his pwoerful acting display in "Padmaavat". The epic movie hit theatres on January 25 and has ever since its release, earned Ranveer his fair share of accolades. Film critics and viewers alike have enjoyed his acting on th big screen. On getting the letter, Ranveer felt overwhelemed by the gesture and thus called the latter his 'award'. He took to Twitter to share a picture of the note and a bouquet that senior actor sent him after watching the film. Ranveer wrote: "Mujhe mera award mil gaya (I have got my award) @SrBachchan." Mujhe mera award mil gaya ????????????@SrBachchan pic.twitter.com/zlo9B6G2od — Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) January 29, 2018 × Amitabh Bachchan also praised Ranveer and sent a handwritten note in 2015, after watching "Bajirao Mastani". In "Padmaavat", Ranveer Singh was seen alongwith Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Aditi Rao Hydari and Raza Murad.

Ranveer Singh says letter from Amitabh Bachchan is his 'award'

Over the weekend, Swara Bhaskar&#39;s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/swara-bhaskar-feels-like-reduced-to-vagina-after-watching-padmaavat-31009"> open letter to Sanjay Leela Bhansali over the depiction </a>of Jauhar scene in his latest film Padmaavat create an uproar on the Internet. While a lot of people agreed with Swara that Bhansali had glorified a regressive custom like Sati in his film, many also criticised the actress and some even trolled her.&nbsp; 
 
The film&#39;s leading man, Shahid Kapoor was asked to respond to Swara Bhaskar&#39;s letter at an event recently. The actor said, &quot; &quot;I haven&#39;t read it yet. We have been busy with other things, but I think this isn&#39;t the right time. &#39;Padmaavat&#39; is representing the film industry and it&#39;s freedom of expression.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-earns-rs-114-crores-within-the-first-four-days-of-its-release-31092">Also read: Padmaavat&#39;s enters Rs 100 crore club within four days of its release</a> 
 
&quot;It has been a tough battle for us to be able to bring forth the film to the audience. It feels great to receive support from the entire industry but it feels odd that someone said something on a personal level. That&#39;s OK though as everyone has the right to say what they want but I haven&#39;t read it yet,&quot; a news agency quoted the actor as saying.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-padmaavat-now-barred-from-release-in-malaysia-31119">Read: Now, Malaysia bans Padmaavat</a>

In the letter, Swara had written that how after watching Padmaavat felt feeling like a vagina. The actress accused Bhansali of glorifying Jauhar and stated that a woman has the right to live despite being raped or being widowed.&nbsp;

Padmaavat also features Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Adito Rao Hydari and Jim Sarbh.&nbsp;

"Feels odd that someone said something on a personal level," Shahid said reacting to the letter.

Over the weekend, Swara Bhaskar's open letter to Sanjay Leela Bhansali over the depiction of Jauhar scene in his latest film Padmaavat create an uproar on the Internet. While a lot of people agreed with Swara that Bhansali had glorified a regressive custom like Sati in his film, many also criticised the actress and some even trolled her. The film's leading man, Shahid Kapoor was asked to respond to Swara Bhaskar's letter at an event recently. The actor said, " "I haven't read it yet. We have been busy with other things, but I think this isn't the right time. 'Padmaavat' is representing the film industry and it's freedom of expression. Also read: Padmaavat's enters Rs 100 crore club within four days of its release "It has been a tough battle for us to be able to bring forth the film to the audience. It feels great to receive support from the entire industry but it feels odd that someone said something on a personal level. That's OK though as everyone has the right to say what they want but I haven't read it yet," a news agency quoted the actor as saying. Read: Now, Malaysia bans Padmaavat In the letter, Swara had written that how after watching Padmaavat felt feeling like a vagina. The actress accused Bhansali of glorifying Jauhar and stated that a woman has the right to live despite being raped or being widowed. Padmaavat also features Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Adito Rao Hydari and Jim Sarbh.

Shahid Kapoor reacts to Swara Bhaskar's open letter to Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Karni Sena will not be happy with this piece of news, perhaps. Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s magnum opus Padmaavat has already entered Rs 100 crore club.&nbsp; 
 
The film release on Thursday and in four days of its release, the film has earned Rs 114 crores and going steady at the Box Office.&nbsp; 
 
Owing to the controversy around the film and the long weekend, Padmaavat&nbsp;managed to get audiences to the theatres. 
&nbsp; 
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh reports that Padmaavat, in its opening weekend, has crossed the business of films like Dilwale, Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. In fact, Padmaavat has surpassed the collections of Deepika and Ranveer&#39;s 2013 film Bajirao Mastani, also directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.&nbsp;

Even in UK, Australia and New Zealand, Padmaavat is performing well.

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Looking at the overall scenario, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> has put up FANTASTIC numbers in its extended weekend... Crosses â¹ 100 cr mark... Wed [limited previews] 5 cr, Thu 19 cr, Fri 32 cr, Sat 27 cr, Sun 31 cr. Total: â¹ 114 cr. India biz. ?????í±????
&mdash; taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/957913145883807745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> is SENSATIONAL in key international markets... USA-Canada will be updated later... 
 
AUSTRALIA 
Weekend: A$ 1,728,642 [â¹ 8.88 cr] 
 
UK 
Weekend: &pound; 846,024 [â¹ 7.59 cr] 
Note: Some locations yet to be updated. 
 
NEW ZEALAND &amp; FIJI 
Weekend: NZ$ 419,161 [â¹ 1.95 cr]<a href="https://twitter.com/Rentrak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rentrak</a>
&mdash; taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/957884318809931778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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This may sound UNBELIEVABLE, but <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> has crossed *lifetime biz* of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dilwale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dilwale</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BajiraoMastani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BajiraoMastani</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sultan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sultan</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TigerZindaHai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TigerZindaHai</a> [still running] and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BajrangiBhaijaan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BajrangiBhaijaan</a> in its *opening weekend* itself in Australia... Will cross <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhoom3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dhoom3</a> today [Mon]&hellip; INCREDIBLE indeed!... <a href="https://twitter.com/Rentrak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rentrak</a>
&mdash; taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/957878181440077825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Featuring Shahid Kapoor along with Deepika and Ranveer, the film was earlier scheduled to release in theatres on December 1 but owing to the protests, the release was pushed to January 25th.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The film opened to packed theatres on Thursday.

Karni Sena will not be happy with this piece of news, perhaps. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Padmaavat has already entered Rs 100 crore club. The film release on Thursday and in four days of its release, the film has earned Rs 114 crores and going steady at the Box Office. Owing to the controversy around the film and the long weekend, Padmaavat managed to get audiences to the theatres. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh reports that Padmaavat, in its opening weekend, has crossed the business of films like Dilwale, Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. In fact, Padmaavat has surpassed the collections of Deepika and Ranveer's 2013 film Bajirao Mastani, also directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Even in UK, Australia and New Zealand, Padmaavat is performing well. Looking at the overall scenario, #Padmaavat has put up FANTASTIC numbers in its extended weekend... Crosses â¹ 100 cr mark... Wed [limited previews] 5 cr, Thu 19 cr, Fri 32 cr, Sat 27 cr, Sun 31 cr. Total: â¹ 114 cr. India biz. ?????í±???? — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 29, 2018 × #Padmaavat is SENSATIONAL in key international markets... USA-Canada will be updated later... AUSTRALIA Weekend: A$ 1,728,642 [â¹ 8.88 cr] UK Weekend: £ 846,024 [â¹ 7.59 cr] Note: Some locations yet to be updated. NEW ZEALAND & FIJI Weekend: NZ$ 419,161 [â¹ 1.95 cr]@Rentrak — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 29, 2018 × This may sound UNBELIEVABLE, but #Padmaavat has crossed *lifetime biz* of #Dilwale, #BajiraoMastani, #Sultan, #TigerZindaHai [still running] and #BajrangiBhaijaan in its *opening weekend* itself in Australia... Will cross #Dhoom3 today [Mon]… INCREDIBLE indeed!... @Rentrak — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 29, 2018 × Featuring Shahid Kapoor along with Deepika and Ranveer, the film was earlier scheduled to release in theatres on December 1 but owing to the protests, the release was pushed to January 25th.

Padmaavat earns Rs 114 crores within the first four days of its release

There seems to be no respite for Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s Padmaavat. Even though the film has managed to release in most parts of the country on January 25th, the film is being called out for its regressive content. Many have felt Bhansali, despite giving a disclaimer in the beginning, glorifies the archaic practice of Jauhar. Critics, thinkers and writers have also condemned the director for glamourizing the climax making the Jauhar scene look larger than life.&nbsp;

Actress Swara Bhaskar, who is known to speak her mind on pertinent&nbsp;issues, is the latest to call out Bhansali&#39;s regressive script. In an open letter for a&nbsp;news website, Bhaskar condemned Bhansali for&nbsp;glorifying&nbsp;Jauhar&nbsp;in his film.

Beginning by&nbsp;congratulating Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the film, Swara Bhaskar wrote that how she has batted for him and his film and spoken on the importance of artistic freedom. Bhaskar wrote that she had worked with Bhansali in a small role in&nbsp;Guzaarish, and how she had observed the director&#39;s precision over minutest details.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-how-sanjay-leela-bhansali-plays-to-the-gallery-with-padmaavat-30890">Also read: How Sanjay Leela Bhansali plays to the gallery with Padmaavat</a>

Attaching&nbsp;a video of her speaking in favour of Padmaavat, Swara reminded&nbsp;Bhansali how she always took a stand for him.

But the actress said that after watching Padmaavat,&nbsp;she felt she was reduced to a vagina. Swara wrote, &quot;I felt reduced to a vagina&ndash;only. I felt like all the &lsquo;minor&rsquo; achievements that women and women&rsquo;s movements have made over the years&ndash; like the right to vote, the right to own property, the right to education, equal pay for equal work, maternity leave, the Vishakha judgement, the right to adopt children&hellip;&hellip; all of it was pointless; because we were back to basics.&quot;

Swara said that a woman had the right to live despite being raped, despite being widowed. &quot;Surely Sir, you agree that&nbsp;Sati, and&nbsp;Jauhar&nbsp;are not practices to be glorified. Surely, you agree that notwithstanding whatever archaic idea of honour, sacrifice, purity propels women and men to participate in and condone such practices; that basically&nbsp;Sati&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jauhar,&nbsp;like the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Honour Killings, are steeped in deeply patriarchal, misogynist and problematic ideas,&quot; the actress wrote.

She further wrote that she understands that the movie is a period film and set in the 13th century where it was normal of a woman to commit Sati or Jauhar than being touched by another man who is not her husband, but it did not mean that it had to be projected in the way Bhansali did in his film. &quot;I understand that&nbsp;Jauhar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sati&nbsp;are a part of our social history. These happened. I understand that they are sensational, shocking dramatic occurrences that lend themselves to splendid, stark and stunning visual representation; especially in the hands of a consummate maker like yourself &mdash; but then so were the lynchings of blacks by murderous white mobs in the 19th&nbsp;century in the US &ndash; sensational, shocking dramatic social occurrences. Does that mean one should make a film about it with no perspective on racism? Or, without a comment on racial hatred? Worse, should one make a film glorifying lynchings as a sign of some warped notion of hot-bloodedness, purity, bravery &ndash; I don&rsquo;t know, I have no idea how possibly one could glorify such a heinous hate crime,&quot; Swara wrote.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568">Read Padmaava review here</a>

Bhaskar said that despite the story being based in the 13th century, the film had 21st-century context and that glorifying a mass suicide in order to protect one&#39;s honour was not the most accurate way of telling the story. &quot;The&nbsp;context&nbsp;of your film is India in the 21st&nbsp;century; where five years ago, a girl was gang-raped brutally in the country&rsquo;s capital inside a moving bus. She didn&rsquo;t commit suicide because her honour had been desecrated, Sir. She fought her six rapists.&nbsp;

Bhaskar also wrote that how a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie made no sense when the entire film was about Rajput and the community&#39;s attempt at&nbsp;saving honour that was more important than the right to live. &quot;In the climax, breathtakingly shot of course &ndash; hundreds of women bedecked in red like Goddess Durga as bride rushed into the&nbsp;Jauhar&nbsp;fire while a raving Muslim psychopathic villain loomed over them and a pulsating musical track &ndash; that had the power of an anthem; seduced the audience into being awestruck and admiring of this act. Sir, if this is not glorification and support of&nbsp;Sati&nbsp;andJauhar, I really do not know what is,&quot;the letter further added.&nbsp;

Swara Bhaskar called out Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the glorification of Sati and Jauhar in his film

There seems to be no respite for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat. Even though the film has managed to release in most parts of the country on January 25th, the film is being called out for its regressive content. Many have felt Bhansali, despite giving a disclaimer in the beginning, glorifies the archaic practice of Jauhar. Critics, thinkers and writers have also condemned the director for glamourizing the climax making the Jauhar scene look larger than life. Actress Swara Bhaskar, who is known to speak her mind on pertinent issues, is the latest to call out Bhansali's regressive script. In an open letter for a news website, Bhaskar condemned Bhansali for glorifying Jauhar in his film. Beginning by congratulating Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the film, Swara Bhaskar wrote that how she has batted for him and his film and spoken on the importance of artistic freedom. Bhaskar wrote that she had worked with Bhansali in a small role in Guzaarish, and how she had observed the director's precision over minutest details. Also read: How Sanjay Leela Bhansali plays to the gallery with Padmaavat Attaching a video of her speaking in favour of Padmaavat, Swara reminded Bhansali how she always took a stand for him. But the actress said that after watching Padmaavat, she felt she was reduced to a vagina. Swara wrote, "I felt reduced to a vagina–only. I felt like all the ‘minor’ achievements that women and women’s movements have made over the years– like the right to vote, the right to own property, the right to education, equal pay for equal work, maternity leave, the Vishakha judgement, the right to adopt children…… all of it was pointless; because we were back to basics." Swara said that a woman had the right to live despite being raped, despite being widowed. "Surely Sir, you agree that Sati, and Jauhar are not practices to be glorified. Surely, you agree that notwithstanding whatever archaic idea of honour, sacrifice, purity propels women and men to participate in and condone such practices; that basically Sati and Jauhar, like the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Honour Killings, are steeped in deeply patriarchal, misogynist and problematic ideas," the actress wrote. She further wrote that she understands that the movie is a period film and set in the 13th century where it was normal of a woman to commit Sati or Jauhar than being touched by another man who is not her husband, but it did not mean that it had to be projected in the way Bhansali did in his film. "I understand that Jauhar and Sati are a part of our social history. These happened. I understand that they are sensational, shocking dramatic occurrences that lend themselves to splendid, stark and stunning visual representation; especially in the hands of a consummate maker like yourself — but then so were the lynchings of blacks by murderous white mobs in the 19th century in the US – sensational, shocking dramatic social occurrences. Does that mean one should make a film about it with no perspective on racism? Or, without a comment on racial hatred? Worse, should one make a film glorifying lynchings as a sign of some warped notion of hot-bloodedness, purity, bravery – I don’t know, I have no idea how possibly one could glorify such a heinous hate crime," Swara wrote. Read Padmaava review here Bhaskar said that despite the story being based in the 13th century, the film had 21st-century context and that glorifying a mass suicide in order to protect one's honour was not the most accurate way of telling the story. "The context of your film is India in the 21st century; where five years ago, a girl was gang-raped brutally in the country’s capital inside a moving bus. She didn’t commit suicide because her honour had been desecrated, Sir. She fought her six rapists. Bhaskar also wrote that how a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie made no sense when the entire film was about Rajput and the community's attempt at saving honour that was more important than the right to live. "In the climax, breathtakingly shot of course – hundreds of women bedecked in red like Goddess Durga as bride rushed into the Jauhar fire while a raving Muslim psychopathic villain loomed over them and a pulsating musical track – that had the power of an anthem; seduced the audience into being awestruck and admiring of this act. Sir, if this is not glorification and support of Sati andJauhar, I really do not know what is,"the letter further added.

Swara Bhaskar felt 'reduced to vagina' after watching 'Padmaavat'

It is almost&nbsp;11pm&nbsp;at night but Ranveer Singh<a href="http://www.bollywoodlife.com/celeb/ranveer-singh/">&nbsp;</a>has the broadest of smiles and warmest of hugs for all the journalists who have come to interview and chat with him .&nbsp; His infectious energy as usual is contagious and wards off the weariness caused due to the long wait. The actor confesses that he is on &lsquo;cloud nine&rsquo;. His gamble of playing Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali&rsquo;s Padmaavat has paid off and how! He recently completed eight years in the industry and this film is the perfect icing on the cake given the superlative reviews he is getting for his monstrous and astounding act. Excerpts from the interview&hellip;.

Which role was tougher, Bajirao or Alauddin Khilji? 
This is the first time someone is asking me about this. I have not spoken about Padmaavat since I began work on it.&nbsp; I think Bajirao was more difficult mentally and physically while Khilji was tough physically. It was difficult only because of the shooting process. Due to the incidents and delays, all my work happened back to back. I was screaming my lungs out one day and doing action on the next day. During the Khalbali dance sequence, my knees had become like jelly. I could not feel my legs. While doing the action scenes, I would faint, recuperate, go aside vomit and come back to shoot. In costume dramas, normally everyone gets a break of six to eight days between sequences, which I did not get. The shooting process was extremely difficult but I knew I had to deliver. So, in terms of psyche and emotional turmoil, the role of Bajirao was very taxing but Khilji was an equally difficult part to play.&nbsp;

There was buzz that you were to see a shrink to undo Khilji from your system. Is that true? 
No, I did not see a shrink. I may have needed one if my so-called first aid did not work. I spent quality time with my family and best friends. I spoke my heart out on how I was feeling. I heard them out. They were my doctors. Slowly, I came back to where I was&hellip;yes, there was a point when I felt I was losing myself to this role to such an extent that I might have to visit a doctor. But my first aid worked&hellip;

Is there anything in common in between Ranveer and Khilji? 
There is nothing in common. I could not relate to this person who was so manipulative, greedy and ambitious. A person who would not bat an eyelid before harming others&hellip;it is not me at all. As part of my preparation and homework, I would study such people in history to relate to the worldview of Khilji. I had to understand and convince myself that there were people like them, and draw from it to infuse life into the character. I buried into the deep, dark recesses of my life and memories, which I had brushed under the carpet and were buried in my conscience. I have confronted those demons and used them in my performance. It has been a catharsis; I am feeling a lot more lighter, happier and nicer. I only have good feelings towards people, only gratitude. I have more love, affection and kindness to give now.&nbsp;

Which scene was the toughest to perform ?&nbsp; 
It was a physical concern, the way the shoot went. I shot for this elaborate dance piece after shooting back to back action scenes. After every day of shooting, I would jump into a bucket of ice from my toes to head to help recover my body. I would stay in it for three to six minutes, I slowly built it up. It is very tough to jump into a pool of ice. My body was breaking, my voice had gone with the screaming and I was doing brutal action scenes. I had so many niggles. After recovering in the ice bath, I would come back and perform. I shot back to back for action/dance sequences. On day 37, I was really broken.

People have loved Jim Sarbh&rsquo;s performance as Malik Kafur and your chemistry with him. 
People are talking so much about mine and Jim&rsquo;s parts (laughs). It is so heartening to see that. Jim was one of the most enriching co-actor experiences I ever had. You must know this, casting Jim was my idea. I had seen Neerja and was blown away by his performance. I told Sanjay Sir to please try him out for the role of Kafur. Just after his first audition he got cast. I am too thrilled about the appreciation he is getting. We know well how much he has contributed towards the film.

Not many mainstream actors would dare to play a bisexual villain. Did you have any apprehensions knowing it could backfire? 
Khilji was a bad person of so many negative shades. In personal life, I am straight. As far as playing a bisexual villain goes, not many mainstream actors would do that. Films are about imagery. Someone once told me that you are perceived as the characters you play. But then, it always excites me to push the envelope and challenge myself to do something that is a first. The bisexuality angle added to the menace, it was a complete skewing of a conservative or traditional moral compass like how scary would a person of that type be for someone with these values. 
I was scared to bits for taking on the part. I was apprehensive by Sanjay Sir persisted and persuaded me. He was convinced that I could do it and backed me fully. As apprehensive as I was, I know how much he has contributed towards my growth as an actor and artiste. I took a leap of faith for him. He almost insisted that I do that. I am thrilled that what we have created together is a memorable character that left an impact on pop culture and folklore.

Ranveer spoke about how difficult it was to shoot for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat

It is almost 11pm at night but Ranveer Singh has the broadest of smiles and warmest of hugs for all the journalists who have come to interview and chat with him . His infectious energy as usual is contagious and wards off the weariness caused due to the long wait. The actor confesses that he is on ‘cloud nine’. His gamble of playing Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat has paid off and how! He recently completed eight years in the industry and this film is the perfect icing on the cake given the superlative reviews he is getting for his monstrous and astounding act. Excerpts from the interview…. Which role was tougher, Bajirao or Alauddin Khilji? This is the first time someone is asking me about this. I have not spoken about Padmaavat since I began work on it. I think Bajirao was more difficult mentally and physically while Khilji was tough physically. It was difficult only because of the shooting process. Due to the incidents and delays, all my work happened back to back. I was screaming my lungs out one day and doing action on the next day. During the Khalbali dance sequence, my knees had become like jelly. I could not feel my legs. While doing the action scenes, I would faint, recuperate, go aside vomit and come back to shoot. In costume dramas, normally everyone gets a break of six to eight days between sequences, which I did not get. The shooting process was extremely difficult but I knew I had to deliver. So, in terms of psyche and emotional turmoil, the role of Bajirao was very taxing but Khilji was an equally difficult part to play. There was buzz that you were to see a shrink to undo Khilji from your system. Is that true? No, I did not see a shrink. I may have needed one if my so-called first aid did not work. I spent quality time with my family and best friends. I spoke my heart out on how I was feeling. I heard them out. They were my doctors. Slowly, I came back to where I was…yes, there was a point when I felt I was losing myself to this role to such an extent that I might have to visit a doctor. But my first aid worked… Is there anything in common in between Ranveer and Khilji? There is nothing in common. I could not relate to this person who was so manipulative, greedy and ambitious. A person who would not bat an eyelid before harming others…it is not me at all. As part of my preparation and homework, I would study such people in history to relate to the worldview of Khilji. I had to understand and convince myself that there were people like them, and draw from it to infuse life into the character. I buried into the deep, dark recesses of my life and memories, which I had brushed under the carpet and were buried in my conscience. I have confronted those demons and used them in my performance. It has been a catharsis; I am feeling a lot more lighter, happier and nicer. I only have good feelings towards people, only gratitude. I have more love, affection and kindness to give now. Which scene was the toughest to perform ? It was a physical concern, the way the shoot went. I shot for this elaborate dance piece after shooting back to back action scenes. After every day of shooting, I would jump into a bucket of ice from my toes to head to help recover my body. I would stay in it for three to six minutes, I slowly built it up. It is very tough to jump into a pool of ice. My body was breaking, my voice had gone with the screaming and I was doing brutal action scenes. I had so many niggles. After recovering in the ice bath, I would come back and perform. I shot back to back for action/dance sequences. On day 37, I was really broken. People have loved Jim Sarbh’s performance as Malik Kafur and your chemistry with him. People are talking so much about mine and Jim’s parts (laughs). It is so heartening to see that. Jim was one of the most enriching co-actor experiences I ever had. You must know this, casting Jim was my idea. I had seen Neerja and was blown away by his performance. I told Sanjay Sir to please try him out for the role of Kafur. Just after his first audition he got cast. I am too thrilled about the appreciation he is getting. We know well how much he has contributed towards the film. Not many mainstream actors would dare to play a bisexual villain. Did you have any apprehensions knowing it could backfire? Khilji was a bad person of so many negative shades. In personal life, I am straight. As far as playing a bisexual villain goes, not many mainstream actors would do that. Films are about imagery. Someone once told me that you are perceived as the characters you play. But then, it always excites me to push the envelope and challenge myself to do something that is a first. The bisexuality angle added to the menace, it was a complete skewing of a conservative or traditional moral compass like how scary would a person of that type be for someone with these values. I was scared to bits for taking on the part. I was apprehensive by Sanjay Sir persisted and persuaded me. He was convinced that I could do it and backed me fully. As apprehensive as I was, I know how much he has contributed towards my growth as an actor and artiste. I took a leap of faith for him. He almost insisted that I do that. I am thrilled that what we have created together is a memorable character that left an impact on pop culture and folklore.

Playing Bajirao was mentally tough, Khilji was physically difficult: Ranveer Singh on Padmaavat

Establishing itself as a box-office record-breaker, Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s epic film &quot;Padmaavat&quot; has already earned Rs 114 crores&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-earns-rs-114-crores-within-the-first-four-days-of-its-release-31092" target="_blank">within the first four days of its release in India</a>.&nbsp;

Continuing the streak even outside India, &quot;Padmaavat&quot; is currently running to its full capacity in several theatres across the United States in both standard format as well as IMAX 3D.&nbsp;

As reported by PTI, in Houston alone, &quot;Padmaavat&quot; has been running houseful in all AMC theatre locations with 24 shows a day since its opening.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-padmaavat-now-barred-from-release-in-malaysia-31119" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;&#39;Padmaavat&#39; now barred from release in Malaysia</a>

As per box office collections sources, the film had collected over USD 3,488,239 till Saturday. It has crossed all previous records for Bollywood movies by collecting USD 1,841,628 on January 27 in a single day across North America, racing past PK&#39;s USD 1,418,817.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568" target="_blank">Also </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568" target="_blank">Read:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568" target="_blank">&nbsp;Padmaavat review: Ranveer Singh shines in Bhansali&#39;s visually grand historical saga</a>

As reported by PTI, a Bollywood fan living in Dallas, after watching the film said, &quot;&#39;Padmaavat&#39; has all the hallmarks of what might have been a universally celebrated Bollywood epic, a critically acclaimed director, A-list actors dressed in lavish finery, elaborate dance and action sequences, and a love story to tie it all together.&quot;

Another Bollywood fan said. &quot;I still don&#39;t understand why the movie was the subject of street protests in India were all about and why they delayed the movie for so long.&quot;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the film has been banned in Malaysia

Establishing itself as a box-office record-breaker, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic film "Padmaavat" has already earned Rs 114 crores within the first four days of its release in India. Continuing the streak even outside India, "Padmaavat" is currently running to its full capacity in several theatres across the United States in both standard format as well as IMAX 3D. As reported by PTI, in Houston alone, "Padmaavat" has been running houseful in all AMC theatre locations with 24 shows a day since its opening. Also Read: 'Padmaavat' now barred from release in Malaysia As per box office collections sources, the film had collected over USD 3,488,239 till Saturday. It has crossed all previous records for Bollywood movies by collecting USD 1,841,628 on January 27 in a single day across North America, racing past PK's USD 1,418,817. Also Read: Padmaavat review: Ranveer Singh shines in Bhansali's visually grand historical saga As reported by PTI, a Bollywood fan living in Dallas, after watching the film said, "'Padmaavat' has all the hallmarks of what might have been a universally celebrated Bollywood epic, a critically acclaimed director, A-list actors dressed in lavish finery, elaborate dance and action sequences, and a love story to tie it all together." Another Bollywood fan said. "I still don't understand why the movie was the subject of street protests in India were all about and why they delayed the movie for so long."

'Padmaavat' is a hit in the US, running houseful in theatres

Controversies don&#39;t seem to lose sight of Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s film &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-earns-rs-114-crores-within-the-first-four-days-of-its-release-31092" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a>&quot; as it is now barred from releasing in the neighbouring country of Malaysia.&nbsp;

Citing&nbsp;&quot;sensitivities of Islam&quot;,&nbsp;Malaysia&#39;s National Film Censorship Board (LPF) barred filmmaker the epic film from getting released in the country.

In a statement, LPF chairman&nbsp;Mohd Zamberi Abdul Aziz said&nbsp;that the storyline of the film itself is of grave concern as &quot;Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country&quot;.&nbsp;

He said: &quot;The storyline of the film touches on the sensitivities of Islam. That in itself is a matter of grave concern in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country.&rdquo;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-here-are-the-first-reactions-on-the-film-30455" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Padmaavat: Here are the first reactions to the film&nbsp;</a>

The film released in India amid escalating violence on part of fringe groups like Karni Sena that claimed that the storyline of the film distorted the image of their historical queen Padmini and was directly aiming at the Rajput honour.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/padmaavat-releasing-in-pakistan-without-cuts-30744" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;&#39;Padmaavat&#39; releasing in Pakistan without cuts</a>

This is, however, not the first time when Malaysia has banned films. Last year, the country banned&nbsp;Disney&rsquo;s &quot;Beauty and the Beast&quot; for a gay moment before relenting and allowing it a PG13 certificate.The country also prosecuted filmmaker Lena Hendry, for holding a private screening of a documentary &quot;No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka&quot;.

Rights advocacy groups voice concerns over&nbsp;Malaysia&#39;s censorship laws that are used time and again in an arbitrary fashion.

The groups have criticised this way of working and said that this has stunted Malaysian filmmaking.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The epic film met with violence across the country from fringe groups like Karni Sena who said that the film dishonoured the Rajput legacy

Controversies don't seem to lose sight of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film "Padmaavat" as it is now barred from releasing in the neighbouring country of Malaysia. Citing "sensitivities of Islam", Malaysia's National Film Censorship Board (LPF) barred filmmaker the epic film from getting released in the country. In a statement, LPF chairman Mohd Zamberi Abdul Aziz said that the storyline of the film itself is of grave concern as "Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country". He said: "The storyline of the film touches on the sensitivities of Islam. That in itself is a matter of grave concern in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country.” Also Read: Padmaavat: Here are the first reactions to the film The film released in India amid escalating violence on part of fringe groups like Karni Sena that claimed that the storyline of the film distorted the image of their historical queen Padmini and was directly aiming at the Rajput honour. Also Read: 'Padmaavat' releasing in Pakistan without cuts This is, however, not the first time when Malaysia has banned films. Last year, the country banned Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast" for a gay moment before relenting and allowing it a PG13 certificate.The country also prosecuted filmmaker Lena Hendry, for holding a private screening of a documentary "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka". Rights advocacy groups voice concerns over Malaysia's censorship laws that are used time and again in an arbitrary fashion. The groups have criticised this way of working and said that this has stunted Malaysian filmmaking.

'Padmaavat' now barred from release in Malaysia

Terming the controversy-hit Bollywood film &quot;Padmaavat&quot; as &#39;bakwas&#39; (rubbish), AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi asked Muslims not to waste their time watching it.

&quot;Don&#39;t go. God has not created you to watch a two-hour film,&quot; the Hyderabad Lok Sabha member said on Wednesday night while addressing a public meeting in Warangal district.

&quot;Mr (Narendra) Modi (Prime Minister) has formed a 12- member committee for that film; take out what you can...(but) nobody was consulted when law (to end triple talaq) was being made against us,&quot; he said.

&quot;The film is &#39;bakwas&#39; and bad...The Muslim community has to learn from Rajputs, who are united in not letting the film release,&quot; he said.

The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the decks for the all-India release of &quot;Padmaavat&quot; on January 25 and stayed notifications and orders issued by Rajasthan and Gujarat prohibiting exhibition of the film in their states.

The Karni Sena has opposed the Sanjay Leela Bhansali- directed film, alleging it &quot;distorts historical facts&quot; and &quot;hurts sentiments&quot; of the Rajput community. The set of the movie was vandalised twice in Jaipur and Kolhapur, while Bhansali was roughed up by members of the Karni Sena last year.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the decks for the all-India release of "Padmaavat" on January 25 and stayed notifications and orders issued by Rajasthan and Gujarat prohibiting exhibition of the film in their states.

Terming the controversy-hit Bollywood film "Padmaavat" as 'bakwas' (rubbish), AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi asked Muslims not to waste their time watching it. "Don't go. God has not created you to watch a two-hour film," the Hyderabad Lok Sabha member said on Wednesday night while addressing a public meeting in Warangal district. "Mr (Narendra) Modi (Prime Minister) has formed a 12- member committee for that film; take out what you can...(but) nobody was consulted when law (to end triple talaq) was being made against us," he said. "The film is 'bakwas' and bad...The Muslim community has to learn from Rajputs, who are united in not letting the film release," he said. The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the decks for the all-India release of "Padmaavat" on January 25 and stayed notifications and orders issued by Rajasthan and Gujarat prohibiting exhibition of the film in their states. The Karni Sena has opposed the Sanjay Leela Bhansali- directed film, alleging it "distorts historical facts" and "hurts sentiments" of the Rajput community. The set of the movie was vandalised twice in Jaipur and Kolhapur, while Bhansali was roughed up by members of the Karni Sena last year.

'Padmaavat' is rubbish, don't watch it: Owaisi

Amid the row over Karni Sena threatening to halt the release of &quot;Padmaavat&quot;,&nbsp; Delhi police chief spokesperson Deependra Pathak has assured the security of cinema halls in the national capital, saying the film will release hassle-free.

Delhi police are also in constant touch with the cinema hall managements in the city, he said.

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Delhi Police will maintain security at all cinema halls. We are constantly in touch with cinema hall management and the people living in those areas. We believe film will release here hassle-free: Deependra Pathak, Delhi Police Chief Spokesperson <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/GKITpvaQbm">pic.twitter.com/GKITpvaQbm</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954273400318341120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Several fringe groups in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are continuing their protest against the film and are threatening to halt its release.

The Rajput community is also demanding a ban on the film after refusing to accept the decision of the Supreme Court, allowing the screening of the movie.

Protesters in Rajasthan have threatened to burn down the cinema halls screening &quot;Padmaavat.&quot;

Haryana politician Suraj Pal Amu&nbsp;blaming the supreme court for hurting sentiments of the people warned that &quot;if the film is released the country will fall apart.&quot;

A Bench headed by Dipak Misra&nbsp;cleared Padmaavat&#39;s release pan India on Thursday.&nbsp;

Sukhdev Singh of the same group warned that Prasoon Joshi, Central Board of Film certification chief, won&#39;t be allowed to enter Rajasthan on Friday.

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Prasoon Joshi(CBFC chief) will not be allowed to enter Rajasthan: Sukhdev Singh,Rajput Karni Sena <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/VsJVWyupYB">pic.twitter.com/VsJVWyupYB</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954221623174864896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The protestors have also called for &#39;&#39;Janta curfew&#39;&#39; and took out a massive rally in Dholpur of Rajasthan to demand a countrywide ban on the film.

Protestors of Karni Sena have also threatened of mass immolation if the film is not banned.

On Thursday, Karni Sena protestors vandalised a cinema hall in Muzaffarpur, Bihar after the apex court ruled in Padmaavat&#39;s favour.

Earlier banned in four states --&nbsp;Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana --Padmaavat&nbsp;received U/A&nbsp;certificate from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after modifications suggested by the panel and will now release on January 25.

Delhi police are also maintaining a constant touch between police and cinema hall management

Amid the row over Karni Sena threatening to halt the release of "Padmaavat", Delhi police chief spokesperson Deependra Pathak has assured the security of cinema halls in the national capital, saying the film will release hassle-free. Delhi police are also in constant touch with the cinema hall managements in the city, he said. Delhi Police will maintain security at all cinema halls. We are constantly in touch with cinema hall management and the people living in those areas. We believe film will release here hassle-free: Deependra Pathak, Delhi Police Chief Spokesperson #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/GKITpvaQbm — ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2018 × Several fringe groups in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are continuing their protest against the film and are threatening to halt its release. The Rajput community is also demanding a ban on the film after refusing to accept the decision of the Supreme Court, allowing the screening of the movie. Protesters in Rajasthan have threatened to burn down the cinema halls screening "Padmaavat." Haryana politician Suraj Pal Amu blaming the supreme court for hurting sentiments of the people warned that "if the film is released the country will fall apart." A Bench headed by Dipak Misra cleared Padmaavat's release pan India on Thursday. Sukhdev Singh of the same group warned that Prasoon Joshi, Central Board of Film certification chief, won't be allowed to enter Rajasthan on Friday. Prasoon Joshi(CBFC chief) will not be allowed to enter Rajasthan: Sukhdev Singh,Rajput Karni Sena #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/VsJVWyupYB — ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2018 × The protestors have also called for ''Janta curfew'' and took out a massive rally in Dholpur of Rajasthan to demand a countrywide ban on the film. Protestors of Karni Sena have also threatened of mass immolation if the film is not banned. On Thursday, Karni Sena protestors vandalised a cinema hall in Muzaffarpur, Bihar after the apex court ruled in Padmaavat's favour. Earlier banned in four states -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana --Padmaavat received U/A certificate from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after modifications suggested by the panel and will now release on January 25.

Delhi Police chief assures hassle-free release of 'Padmaavat' in Delhi

Now that Ranveer Singh&#39;s much-awaited epic movie with co-stars Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor is ready to release country-wide next week on January 25, the actor seems to breathe a sigh of relief now.&nbsp;

Posting on Twitter, Ranveer shared a photo of his body transformation for his upcoming movies, Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s &quot;Padmaavat&quot;&nbsp;to Zoya Akhtar&#39;s &quot;Gully Boy&quot;.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#padmaavat</a> &mdash;&gt; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gullyboy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gullyboy</a> <a href="https://t.co/6GFJAzPChf">pic.twitter.com/6GFJAzPChf</a>
&mdash; Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/RanveerOfficial/status/954263787556581377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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While in the epic drama &quot;Padmaavat&quot;, Ranveer&nbsp;Singh plays the role of mighty king Sultan Alauddin Khilji, in Zoya Akhtar&#39;s &quot;Gully Boy&quot; he becomes a slum boy who likes to rap and with his sincerity and determination rose to fame in the world of entertainment.&nbsp;

For his role in &quot;Padmaavat&quot;, Ranveer had to work tirelessly to build a beefed up body to shoot action scenes and intense battle scenes with Shahid Kapoor while in &quot;Gully Boy&quot; he had to subsequently lose al that muscle to portray the role of a slum boy who lives with basic minimal.&nbsp;

&quot;Gully Boy&quot;&nbsp;is the story of an underdog who rises from slums and goes on to become a big rapper. It&rsquo;s an interesting take on the typical-rag-to-riches story.

Ranveer's upcoming movie 'Padmaavat' will hit the theatres on January 25

Now that Ranveer Singh's much-awaited epic movie with co-stars Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor is ready to release country-wide next week on January 25, the actor seems to breathe a sigh of relief now. Posting on Twitter, Ranveer shared a photo of his body transformation for his upcoming movies, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat" to Zoya Akhtar's "Gully Boy". #padmaavat —> #gullyboy pic.twitter.com/6GFJAzPChf — Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) January 19, 2018 × While in the epic drama "Padmaavat", Ranveer Singh plays the role of mighty king Sultan Alauddin Khilji, in Zoya Akhtar's "Gully Boy" he becomes a slum boy who likes to rap and with his sincerity and determination rose to fame in the world of entertainment. For his role in "Padmaavat", Ranveer had to work tirelessly to build a beefed up body to shoot action scenes and intense battle scenes with Shahid Kapoor while in "Gully Boy" he had to subsequently lose al that muscle to portray the role of a slum boy who lives with basic minimal. "Gully Boy" is the story of an underdog who rises from slums and goes on to become a big rapper. It’s an interesting take on the typical-rag-to-riches story.

Ranveer Singh's transformation: 'Padmaavat's mighty Alauddin Khilji to slum boy in 'Gully Boy'

First a brief backgrounder. The legendary fabled Rani Padmini / Padmavati / Padmavat the breathtakingly beautiful Rajput Queen who gave her life defending her honour rather than fall prey to a zonked-out mesmerised Turkish Sultan Allaudin Khilji&rsquo;s lustful gaze lives again this time courtesy Bollywood Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, but with drama, passion and hi-jinks played out (both in reel and real life) unmatched in the 600-year-old event, narrated either in history books or folklore.

Bolly-watchers insist that director Bhansali and controversy continue to be made for each other &amp; that it is a deliberate strategy to grab attention curiosity &amp; excitement to trigger footfalls &amp; zoom the film deep north. Both his earlier forays into historical fiction Ram-Leela&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bajirao Mastani followed a similar template to rake in big bucks. His modus operandi (state his detractors) is the way he leverages his presentation method: a spectacular canvas, scale, colour, grandiose and hit-pitched dramabaazi designed to dazzle the eyes and numb the senses. Big-budget extravaganzas starring glam and popular.

Bhansali pulls out the stops to re-define the willful suspension of disbelief-factor [such a critical aspect of the movie-viewing experience] for the dazed, chloroformed viewer. Historical authenticity or accuracy is usually sacrificed at the altar of entertainment, because it is history-as-fiction and popular bharpoor manoranjan that B-town&rsquo;s latter-day Cecil B Demille is aiming for.

Not all buy into this grand plan as is clear in the way Padmavat played out, off-screen. Hysteria met histrionics in high decibel fashion blasting across every available media avenue to keep Bollywood junkies enthralled and others totally perplexed, disgusted and resigned to an uncertain fate for the creative community.

While fringe groups like the Rajput Karni Sena claimed that the cinematic narrative hurts the sentiments of the entire Rajput community and that the outrageous distortion of facts-love scenes between Khilji and their sacred queen as well as the blasphemy driven Ghoomar dance, to name only two&mdash;were unpardonable, other militant bodies jumped into the fray to add fuel to the fire, including some so-called members of Rani Padmini&rsquo;s family, across generations. The harassed director&rsquo;s plea&mdash;on TV&mdash;that the film had only saluted not humiliated the honour and valour of the great Rajput community fell on deaf ears &amp; a total ban was demanded or else bodily harm was threatened to the cast and crew, with large sums of money and chopping of head grabbing headlines in a sensational&nbsp;manner!

Whatever happened to our celebrated and much&mdash;touted 5000-year-old civilisation redolent with a rich heritage, tradition and legacy of peace &amp; non-violence? At another level, is this the way a tomorrows super-power behaves in the face of a creative piece of work? What is the Government doing about it? Is the creative community&mdash;Bollywood as the softest target&mdash;under siege, forced to listen to the diktats of goons &amp; bullies &amp; settle matters either when big money exchanges hands or toe the line drawn by the political big-wigs of the state?

Respected Veteran film-maker Shyam Benegal is both confused and upset at the way things have played out. &ldquo;If you remember, I had two segments dedicated to Rani Padmini in my late 1980&rsquo;s serial BHARAT EK KHOJ and no one batted an eyelid. Why this sudden madness and chaos? It has been cleared by the Censor board and if any state refuses to play it, it is unlawful. Law and order being a state subject, it is the duty of the authorities to maintain it to the best of their abilities.

It seems to be a clear case of politics coming into play, with the election coming up and appeasement, a seductive, driving force. The climate of intolerance&mdash;real or manufactured&mdash;is also not helping the creative community or right-thinking people who prefer to embrace confluence, not conflict. Reputed Film critic Saibal Chatterjee adds his evolved bit. &ldquo;This is just hooliganism paraded as honour to fulfil a political agenda. It&rsquo;s amazing that the loudest yells have come from people who have not seen the film &amp; refuse to recognise the fact that Padmini was a fictional character &amp; remain hell-bent on insisting that Rajput honour has been tampered with &amp; is non-negotiable. While the supreme court has squashed all State nay-sayers &amp; ordered it to be shown everywhere, the point is : What message does this Padmavat&mdash;even the name was forcibly changed&mdash;madness send out to the creative community? Beyond the Censor Board, do political parties, leaders, goons &amp; activists have to compulsorily be in the framework before even starting any film or creative work? Are we a banana republic &amp; not the world&rsquo;s largest democracy?

As Padmavat gets ready to unspool its wares to a viewership curious and excited in equal measure, right-thinking individuals have much to ponder about. Why were the powers&mdash;that&mdash;are hemorrhaging with its power-packed rhetoric suddenly converted to the silent movies mode? Whatever happened to the basics of democratic rights and freedom of speech, and expression? Has it been hollowed out and emptied of all meaning? Are immediate, extractive, short-term gains to nurture avaricious and opportunistic thrusts, the new name of the game? Has our inability to live entirely in the present combined with our ability to see the future make us strange, in-between creatures&mdash;neither beast nor prophet? Are we&mdash;finally&mdash;railroaded to offer polite prosaic, factual precision when a feral howl is the need of the hour? Our time starts&mdash;now!

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

The hooliganism around the film raises the question if India is turning into a banana republic from the world’s largest democracy.

First a brief backgrounder. The legendary fabled Rani Padmini / Padmavati / Padmavat the breathtakingly beautiful Rajput Queen who gave her life defending her honour rather than fall prey to a zonked-out mesmerised Turkish Sultan Allaudin Khilji’s lustful gaze lives again this time courtesy Bollywood Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, but with drama, passion and hi-jinks played out (both in reel and real life) unmatched in the 600-year-old event, narrated either in history books or folklore. Bolly-watchers insist that director Bhansali and controversy continue to be made for each other & that it is a deliberate strategy to grab attention curiosity & excitement to trigger footfalls & zoom the film deep north. Both his earlier forays into historical fiction Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani followed a similar template to rake in big bucks. His modus operandi (state his detractors) is the way he leverages his presentation method: a spectacular canvas, scale, colour, grandiose and hit-pitched dramabaazi designed to dazzle the eyes and numb the senses. Big-budget extravaganzas starring glam and popular. Bhansali pulls out the stops to re-define the willful suspension of disbelief-factor [such a critical aspect of the movie-viewing experience] for the dazed, chloroformed viewer. Historical authenticity or accuracy is usually sacrificed at the altar of entertainment, because it is history-as-fiction and popular bharpoor manoranjan that B-town’s latter-day Cecil B Demille is aiming for. Not all buy into this grand plan as is clear in the way Padmavat played out, off-screen. Hysteria met histrionics in high decibel fashion blasting across every available media avenue to keep Bollywood junkies enthralled and others totally perplexed, disgusted and resigned to an uncertain fate for the creative community. While fringe groups like the Rajput Karni Sena claimed that the cinematic narrative hurts the sentiments of the entire Rajput community and that the outrageous distortion of facts-love scenes between Khilji and their sacred queen as well as the blasphemy driven Ghoomar dance, to name only two—were unpardonable, other militant bodies jumped into the fray to add fuel to the fire, including some so-called members of Rani Padmini’s family, across generations. The harassed director’s plea—on TV—that the film had only saluted not humiliated the honour and valour of the great Rajput community fell on deaf ears & a total ban was demanded or else bodily harm was threatened to the cast and crew, with large sums of money and chopping of head grabbing headlines in a sensational manner! Whatever happened to our celebrated and much—touted 5000-year-old civilisation redolent with a rich heritage, tradition and legacy of peace & non-violence? At another level, is this the way a tomorrows super-power behaves in the face of a creative piece of work? What is the Government doing about it? Is the creative community—Bollywood as the softest target—under siege, forced to listen to the diktats of goons & bullies & settle matters either when big money exchanges hands or toe the line drawn by the political big-wigs of the state? Respected Veteran film-maker Shyam Benegal is both confused and upset at the way things have played out. “If you remember, I had two segments dedicated to Rani Padmini in my late 1980’s serial BHARAT EK KHOJ and no one batted an eyelid. Why this sudden madness and chaos? It has been cleared by the Censor board and if any state refuses to play it, it is unlawful. Law and order being a state subject, it is the duty of the authorities to maintain it to the best of their abilities. It seems to be a clear case of politics coming into play, with the election coming up and appeasement, a seductive, driving force. The climate of intolerance—real or manufactured—is also not helping the creative community or right-thinking people who prefer to embrace confluence, not conflict. Reputed Film critic Saibal Chatterjee adds his evolved bit. “This is just hooliganism paraded as honour to fulfil a political agenda. It’s amazing that the loudest yells have come from people who have not seen the film & refuse to recognise the fact that Padmini was a fictional character & remain hell-bent on insisting that Rajput honour has been tampered with & is non-negotiable. While the supreme court has squashed all State nay-sayers & ordered it to be shown everywhere, the point is : What message does this Padmavat—even the name was forcibly changed—madness send out to the creative community? Beyond the Censor Board, do political parties, leaders, goons & activists have to compulsorily be in the framework before even starting any film or creative work? Are we a banana republic & not the world’s largest democracy? As Padmavat gets ready to unspool its wares to a viewership curious and excited in equal measure, right-thinking individuals have much to ponder about. Why were the powers—that—are hemorrhaging with its power-packed rhetoric suddenly converted to the silent movies mode? Whatever happened to the basics of democratic rights and freedom of speech, and expression? Has it been hollowed out and emptied of all meaning? Are immediate, extractive, short-term gains to nurture avaricious and opportunistic thrusts, the new name of the game? Has our inability to live entirely in the present combined with our ability to see the future make us strange, in-between creatures—neither beast nor prophet? Are we—finally—railroaded to offer polite prosaic, factual precision when a feral howl is the need of the hour? Our time starts—now! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Is Padmaavat turning into the Rani of controversy?

The Supreme Court today rejected a plea seeking an urgent hearing on a fresh PIL that sought cancellation of Censor Board&#39;s certificate granted to controversial Bollywood movie &#39;Padmaavat&#39;.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud also trashed the submission that the screening of the movie may cause serious threat to life, property and law and order.

&quot;Maintaining law and order is not our job. That is the job of the state. Prayer rejected,&quot; the bench said while refusing to accord urgent hearing on the fresh plea filed by lawyer M L Sharma.

The lawyer has sought cancellation of the U/A certificate granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to Deepika Padukone-starrer &#39;Padmaavat&#39; on various grounds including the provisions of the Cinematograph Act.

&quot;Yesterday, we have passed a reasoned order,&quot; the bench said adding that, once CBFC has granted the certificate, there was no scope of any interference.

The apex court had yesterday paved the way for the nationwide release of movie &#39;Padmaavat&#39; on January 25 by staying the ban on the screening of the film in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The court had also restrained other states from issuing any such notification or order banning the screening of the film.

The movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, is based on the saga of historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi.

Haryana and Madhya Pradesh governments have not issued any formal order but had stated that they would not allow the exhibition of the film.

Maintaining that states were under constitutional obligation to maintain law and order, the apex court had said that this duty also includes providing police protection to persons who are involved in the film, its exhibition and the audience watching it.&nbsp;

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud also trashed the submission that the screening of the movie may cause serious threat to life, property and law and order.

The Supreme Court today rejected a plea seeking an urgent hearing on a fresh PIL that sought cancellation of Censor Board's certificate granted to controversial Bollywood movie 'Padmaavat'. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud also trashed the submission that the screening of the movie may cause serious threat to life, property and law and order. "Maintaining law and order is not our job. That is the job of the state. Prayer rejected," the bench said while refusing to accord urgent hearing on the fresh plea filed by lawyer M L Sharma. The lawyer has sought cancellation of the U/A certificate granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to Deepika Padukone-starrer 'Padmaavat' on various grounds including the provisions of the Cinematograph Act. "Yesterday, we have passed a reasoned order," the bench said adding that, once CBFC has granted the certificate, there was no scope of any interference. The apex court had yesterday paved the way for the nationwide release of movie 'Padmaavat' on January 25 by staying the ban on the screening of the film in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The court had also restrained other states from issuing any such notification or order banning the screening of the film. The movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, is based on the saga of historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi. Haryana and Madhya Pradesh governments have not issued any formal order but had stated that they would not allow the exhibition of the film. Maintaining that states were under constitutional obligation to maintain law and order, the apex court had said that this duty also includes providing police protection to persons who are involved in the film, its exhibition and the audience watching it.

Supreme Court rejects plea to cancel CBFC certificate to 'Padmaavat'

It&#39;s usually tough for small-budget movies to make a mark on the box-office unless backed with a great script that connects with the audience. But this week it gets tougher for small releases as big budget films &quot;Padmaavat&quot;&nbsp;and &quot;PadMan&quot;&nbsp;are scheduled to release on January 25.&nbsp;

Releasing today are three Hindi films -- &quot;Vodka Diaries&quot;, &quot;Nirdosh&quot;&nbsp;and &quot;My Birthday Song&quot; which will just have a week to rake in moolah before&nbsp;&quot;Padmaavat&quot;&nbsp;and &quot;PadMan&quot; take centre stage in theatres worldwide.&nbsp;

For those who want to watch a movie this week, this is what Bollywood offers:&nbsp;

&quot;Vodka Diaries&quot;&nbsp;with an interesting<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-watch-vodka-diaries-teaser-out-kay-kay-menon-plays-detective-in-psychological-mystery-27396" target="_blank"> promo </a>and stellar actors Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen and Mandira Bedi might turn out to be a good bet.

&quot;Nirdosh&quot;, on the other hand, has Arbaaz Khan on screen with Manjari Fadnis, Ashmit Patel, Mahek Chahal and Mukul Dev&nbsp;in a thriller.

&quot;My Birthday Song&quot;&nbsp;sees Sanjay Suri and co. directed by Sameer Soni. The film is a psychological thriller and is aimed for niche audience at urban multiplexes.&nbsp;

The small-budget movies have lost on publicity and marketing as 'Padmaavat' and 'PadMan' releasing next weekend have hogged the limelight completely

It's usually tough for small-budget movies to make a mark on the box-office unless backed with a great script that connects with the audience. But this week it gets tougher for small releases as big budget films "Padmaavat" and "PadMan" are scheduled to release on January 25. Releasing today are three Hindi films -- "Vodka Diaries", "Nirdosh" and "My Birthday Song" which will just have a week to rake in moolah before "Padmaavat" and "PadMan" take centre stage in theatres worldwide. For those who want to watch a movie this week, this is what Bollywood offers: "Vodka Diaries" with an interesting promo and stellar actors Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen and Mandira Bedi might turn out to be a good bet. "Nirdosh", on the other hand, has Arbaaz Khan on screen with Manjari Fadnis, Ashmit Patel, Mahek Chahal and Mukul Dev in a thriller. "My Birthday Song" sees Sanjay Suri and co. directed by Sameer Soni. The film is a psychological thriller and is aimed for niche audience at urban multiplexes.

Box office releases this week: 'Vodka Diaries', 'My Birthday Song' and 'Nirdosh'

With independence, the people of India fantasised about breathing freely; the Indian Constitution brushed aside all vestiges of subordination which the tyranny of the alien rulers had imposed upon them, declaring all laws inconsistent with the fundamental rights to be void.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, within a year or so, the constitutional dream was diluted with the First Amendment of the Constitution that equipped the government with wider powers to stifle liberty by incorporating the phrase &ldquo;Public Order&rdquo; and the Press Objectionable Matters Act, 1951, like those passed during 1910 and 1931. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

With Indira Gandhi becoming the prime minister, the period saw the strident confrontation between the government and the press. Central Censorship orders were passed under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act 1971. The Defence of India Act 1971 and other Acts came into force during this period. The Press Council (Repeal) Act 1976 repealed the Press Council Act and abolished the Press Council. The Parliamentary Proceeding (Protection of Publication) Act, 1976 was too repealed to curb the freedom of the press.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Some curative measures were taken by the ensuing government but the executive under the existing laws is still adequately equipped to restrain the liberty of the press. However, right since its inception, the free speech clause has always been an endearing fundamental right for the Indian Supreme Court. Starting with Romesh Thapar, and Brij Bhusan cases to recent Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, which quashing section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, we can say that Supreme Court has always come to rescue free speech whenever it was endangered.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

The ongoing uproar on an exhibition of the movie Padmaavat is a blatant specimen of the fact that Indian soil is not yet prepared to nurture the freedom of speech. The film is facing massive protests from fringe groups like &lsquo;Rajput Karni Sena&rsquo;. They publicly and bizarrely exhibited the courage to issue death threats to producer and actors of the film and blocked the historic Chittorgarh Fort for tourists and called for Bharat Bandh on 1 December 2017. Instead of taking stern action against these fringe elements, the government of Rajasthan and some other states obliquely encouraged them to do more mischief.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Any alleged distortion of historical facts must be dealt with in accordance with the procedure established by law. The Indian Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 1983 empower the Central Board of Film Certification &ldquo;the Censor Board&rdquo; to grant permission to exhibit the film with conditions, without conditions or refuse permission as it thinks appropriate.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

To bring objectivity in its decision and to study the impact of a film on the public, it is mandated that Board may hold a seminar of film critics, writers, historians, community leaders and persons engaged in the film industry. The central government is also vested with revision powers under the Act to deal with any exigencies. Failing all, we have our constitutional courts which uphold freedom of speech as an uninhibited marketplace of ideas in which truth will ultimately prevail, rather than allow monopolisation of that market whether by the government itself or a private licensee.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Following the due process, the censor board conferred Padmavati&nbsp;a UA certificate and suggested to change the film&rsquo;s title to &ldquo;Padmaavat&rdquo;&nbsp;besides making four other modifications. The board also advised modifications in disclaimers, pertinently adding one regarding not glorifying the practice of&nbsp;Sati&nbsp;and also relevant changes in the song &lsquo;Ghoomar&rsquo; to befit the character portrayed. Incorporating these modifications, the film was proposed to be released on 25th January 2018.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

But, fringe elements sustained its disorderly behaviour and, consequently, governments of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana imposed a ban on screening of the Film &lsquo;Padmaavat.&rsquo; The producer has to approach the Court for implementation of its fundamental right.&nbsp; The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and Justice A. M. Khanwilkar, preserving its pledge, rightly granted an interim injunction against the decision of four states to ban the release and public exhibition of the film Padmaavat.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

People have the right to protest but by constitutional means. The government is bound to ensure that rule of law would reign in all circumstances and at any cost. The subsistence of private armies like Karni Sena is frightening and must be outlawed. &nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

People have the right to protest but by constitutional means. The subsistence of private armies like Karni Sena is frightening and must be outlawed.

With independence, the people of India fantasised about breathing freely; the Indian Constitution brushed aside all vestiges of subordination which the tyranny of the alien rulers had imposed upon them, declaring all laws inconsistent with the fundamental rights to be void. However, within a year or so, the constitutional dream was diluted with the First Amendment of the Constitution that equipped the government with wider powers to stifle liberty by incorporating the phrase “Public Order” and the Press Objectionable Matters Act, 1951, like those passed during 1910 and 1931. With Indira Gandhi becoming the prime minister, the period saw the strident confrontation between the government and the press. Central Censorship orders were passed under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act 1971. The Defence of India Act 1971 and other Acts came into force during this period. The Press Council (Repeal) Act 1976 repealed the Press Council Act and abolished the Press Council. The Parliamentary Proceeding (Protection of Publication) Act, 1976 was too repealed to curb the freedom of the press. Some curative measures were taken by the ensuing government but the executive under the existing laws is still adequately equipped to restrain the liberty of the press. However, right since its inception, the free speech clause has always been an endearing fundamental right for the Indian Supreme Court. Starting with Romesh Thapar, and Brij Bhusan cases to recent Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, which quashing section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, we can say that Supreme Court has always come to rescue free speech whenever it was endangered. The ongoing uproar on an exhibition of the movie Padmaavat is a blatant specimen of the fact that Indian soil is not yet prepared to nurture the freedom of speech. The film is facing massive protests from fringe groups like ‘Rajput Karni Sena’. They publicly and bizarrely exhibited the courage to issue death threats to producer and actors of the film and blocked the historic Chittorgarh Fort for tourists and called for Bharat Bandh on 1 December 2017. Instead of taking stern action against these fringe elements, the government of Rajasthan and some other states obliquely encouraged them to do more mischief. Any alleged distortion of historical facts must be dealt with in accordance with the procedure established by law. The Indian Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 1983 empower the Central Board of Film Certification “the Censor Board” to grant permission to exhibit the film with conditions, without conditions or refuse permission as it thinks appropriate. To bring objectivity in its decision and to study the impact of a film on the public, it is mandated that Board may hold a seminar of film critics, writers, historians, community leaders and persons engaged in the film industry. The central government is also vested with revision powers under the Act to deal with any exigencies. Failing all, we have our constitutional courts which uphold freedom of speech as an uninhibited marketplace of ideas in which truth will ultimately prevail, rather than allow monopolisation of that market whether by the government itself or a private licensee. Following the due process, the censor board conferred Padmavati a UA certificate and suggested to change the film’s title to “Padmaavat” besides making four other modifications. The board also advised modifications in disclaimers, pertinently adding one regarding not glorifying the practice of Sati and also relevant changes in the song ‘Ghoomar’ to befit the character portrayed. Incorporating these modifications, the film was proposed to be released on 25th January 2018. But, fringe elements sustained its disorderly behaviour and, consequently, governments of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana imposed a ban on screening of the Film ‘Padmaavat.’ The producer has to approach the Court for implementation of its fundamental right. The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and Justice A. M. Khanwilkar, preserving its pledge, rightly granted an interim injunction against the decision of four states to ban the release and public exhibition of the film Padmaavat. People have the right to protest but by constitutional means. The government is bound to ensure that rule of law would reign in all circumstances and at any cost. The subsistence of private armies like Karni Sena is frightening and must be outlawed. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Debate over Padmaavat has devolved into a fight between freedom and fanatics

It was a lively discussion on literature and cinema on Thursday during the court proceedings of Padmaavat. The CJI and other lawyers discussed dogmas and the Victorian mindsets of the government which had impeded the readings of classics, movies and plays based on sensitive issues.&nbsp; 
 
The discussion was in context to four state ban on Padmaavat that was challenged by the film&#39;s makers.&nbsp; 
 
Classics of Kalidas, love story of Nala and Damayanti, Lady Chatterley&#39;s Lover, Gandhi: Naked Ambition and Man Who Killed Gandhi was discussed during the proceedings.&nbsp; 
 
Controversial plays like Mi Nathuram Godse Boltoy and Sakharam Binder found a mention and so did films like Bandit Queen, Aarakshan. The CJI pointed out the artistic freedom that flows in street plays, theaters, dance dramas.&nbsp; 
Justice Misra recalled that puritan Odia scholars had translated Nala and Damayanti into Odia language in 1884 while omitting certain stanzas stating that it was not appropriate for readers. &quot;He had a perception befitting that of the Victorian era. Just imagine how Kalidasa could get away with Meghdoota in that era. We need to evolve and understand the importance of right speech. If we apply Victorian era mindset, then I have no hesitation in saying that 60% of the classics would be available for reading,&quot; The Times Of India quoted the CJI as saying. 
 
Advocate Harish Salve, who was representing the producers of Padmaavat said that artistic expression must be given freedom. &quot;The film Padmaavat has no distortion of history and is based on the famous epic of the same name written by a well known Sufi poet. But one day I&#39;d love to argue how artistic expression can have a license to distort history,&quot; Salve said.&nbsp; 
 
Additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta though argued that artistic freedom of expression could never be a license to distort history. &quot;Can anyone in India be permitted to show Mahatma Gandhi sipping whiskey?&quot; Misra pointed out.&nbsp;

The bench though said that it was the responsibility of the Censor Board to examine each scene to check whether history was being distorted.&nbsp;

Kalidas, Lady Chatterley and Bandit Queen were discussed during the proceedings

It was a lively discussion on literature and cinema on Thursday during the court proceedings of Padmaavat. The CJI and other lawyers discussed dogmas and the Victorian mindsets of the government which had impeded the readings of classics, movies and plays based on sensitive issues. The discussion was in context to four state ban on Padmaavat that was challenged by the film's makers. Classics of Kalidas, love story of Nala and Damayanti, Lady Chatterley's Lover, Gandhi: Naked Ambition and Man Who Killed Gandhi was discussed during the proceedings. Controversial plays like Mi Nathuram Godse Boltoy and Sakharam Binder found a mention and so did films like Bandit Queen, Aarakshan. The CJI pointed out the artistic freedom that flows in street plays, theaters, dance dramas. Justice Misra recalled that puritan Odia scholars had translated Nala and Damayanti into Odia language in 1884 while omitting certain stanzas stating that it was not appropriate for readers. "He had a perception befitting that of the Victorian era. Just imagine how Kalidasa could get away with Meghdoota in that era. We need to evolve and understand the importance of right speech. If we apply Victorian era mindset, then I have no hesitation in saying that 60% of the classics would be available for reading," The Times Of India quoted the CJI as saying. Advocate Harish Salve, who was representing the producers of Padmaavat said that artistic expression must be given freedom. "The film Padmaavat has no distortion of history and is based on the famous epic of the same name written by a well known Sufi poet. But one day I'd love to argue how artistic expression can have a license to distort history," Salve said. Additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta though argued that artistic freedom of expression could never be a license to distort history. "Can anyone in India be permitted to show Mahatma Gandhi sipping whiskey?" Misra pointed out. The bench though said that it was the responsibility of the Censor Board to examine each scene to check whether history was being distorted.

SC panel discussed controversial works in literature and cinema during 'Padmaavat' proceedings

&quot;Padmaavat&quot;&nbsp;director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and &quot;PadMan&quot;&nbsp;Akshay Kumar held a joint press conference today announcing that the two mega flicks will <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padman-to-not-clash-with-padmaavat-shifts-release-date-to-february-9-30080" target="_blank">not be clashing at the box-office</a> next week.&nbsp;

Originally&nbsp;scheduled to release on January 25, both films have decided this in their best interest.&nbsp;

Speaking to the press, Akshay Kumar on Friday announced that his film &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-twinkle-khanna-takes-padman-to-the-prestigious-oxford-union-29899" target="_blank">PadMan</a>&quot;&nbsp;has now been moved to a release on February 9 instead of January 25 on the request of Bhansali.&nbsp;

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It is essential for them to release the film <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> as quickly as possible, so I agreed to move the release date of my film &#39;Pad Man&#39; ahead, will now be released on Feb 9: Akshay Kumar in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/H2br6bsTxq">pic.twitter.com/H2br6bsTxq</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954339841113649154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Akshay speaking about &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-panel-discussed-controversial-works-in-literature-and-cinema-during-padmaavat-proceedings-30024" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a>&quot;&nbsp;director said:&nbsp;&quot;He has gone through a lot. It is essential for them to release the film at this time, their stakes are higher than mine,&quot; before calling him &quot;a dear friend.&quot;

Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/supreme-court-clears-all-india-release-for-padmaavat-7838">Supreme Court clears all-India release for &#39;Padmaavat&#39;</a>

Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-watch-padmaavat-dialogue-promo-ranveer-singh-as-khilji-looks-fierce-30077">Watch &#39;Padmaavat&#39; dialogue promo: Ranveer Singh as Khilji looks fierce</a>

On this, Sanjay Leela Bhansali folded hands and said:&nbsp;&quot;I will be grateful to him for a lifetime. This is how we stand with each other.&quot;

He added, &quot;Padmaavat has been made after facing a lot of difficulties, we decided on the release date of 25 Jan but it was Akshay Kumar for the release of his film &#39;PadMan&#39;, we requested him to move the release date of his film ahead, he agreed.&quot;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> has been made after facing a lot of difficulties,we decided on release date of 25 Jan but it was with Akshay Kumar for release of his film &#39;PadMan&#39;,we reqwsted him to move release date of his film ahead,he agreed,will be grateful to him for a lifetime:Sanjay L Bhansali <a href="https://t.co/FoLQbiLa7u">pic.twitter.com/FoLQbiLa7u</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954337086898806784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Akshay Kumar address the media in Mumbai <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/m8HxNJy8XA">https://t.co/m8HxNJy8XA</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954334937435394049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Padmaavat&quot;&nbsp;has been mired in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-not-sit-quiet-if-padmavati-releases-threatens-rashtriya-rajput-karni-sena-28377" target="_blank">controversies</a> ever since the crew started shooting the film last year. Their shooting locations were vandalised, director and actress were <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-now-karni-sena-threatens-to-chop-off-deepika-padukones-nose-if-the-film-releases-24367" target="_blank">threatened</a> and eventually, CBFC denied giving the film a release certificate.&nbsp;

Makers of the controversial film &quot;Padmaavat&quot;&nbsp;announced January 25 as release date after CBFC passed the film with a certificate late last year. It was the earliest possible date that the makers spotted for the film amid negative sentiment growing against it. This led to a clash with an already announced release date for &quot;PadMan&quot; and &quot;Aiyaary&quot;.&nbsp;

Soon after the announcement, Siddharth Malhotra starrer &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padman-padmavat-to-clash-on-jan-25-aiyaari-steps-out-of-race-postpones-release-28942" target="_blank">Aiyaary</a>&quot;&nbsp;shifted its date to February 9.&nbsp;

After the latest&nbsp;press conference, &quot;PadMan&quot;&nbsp;and &quot;Aiyaary&quot;&nbsp;will meet its fate again on the same date -- February 9.&nbsp;

&quot;PadMan,&quot; tells the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, the man behind a low-cost machine for manufacturing sanitary napkins in rural India.

The controversial &quot;Padmaavat&quot;&nbsp;is based on the legend of Rani Padmini of Chittor, played by Deepika Padukone.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

'Padmaavat' director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and 'PadMan' actor Akshay Kumar held a joint press conference today announcing that 'Padmaavat' needs to release on January 25 and there is no point in clashing two mega flicks on the same date

"Padmaavat" director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and "PadMan" Akshay Kumar held a joint press conference today announcing that the two mega flicks will not be clashing at the box-office next week. Originally scheduled to release on January 25, both films have decided this in their best interest. Speaking to the press, Akshay Kumar on Friday announced that his film "PadMan" has now been moved to a release on February 9 instead of January 25 on the request of Bhansali. It is essential for them to release the film #Padmaavat as quickly as possible, so I agreed to move the release date of my film 'Pad Man' ahead, will now be released on Feb 9: Akshay Kumar in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/H2br6bsTxq — ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2018 × Akshay speaking about "Padmaavat" director said: "He has gone through a lot. It is essential for them to release the film at this time, their stakes are higher than mine," before calling him "a dear friend." Also Watch: Supreme Court clears all-India release for 'Padmaavat' Also Watch: Watch 'Padmaavat' dialogue promo: Ranveer Singh as Khilji looks fierce On this, Sanjay Leela Bhansali folded hands and said: "I will be grateful to him for a lifetime. This is how we stand with each other." He added, "Padmaavat has been made after facing a lot of difficulties, we decided on the release date of 25 Jan but it was Akshay Kumar for the release of his film 'PadMan', we requested him to move the release date of his film ahead, he agreed." #Padmaavat has been made after facing a lot of difficulties,we decided on release date of 25 Jan but it was with Akshay Kumar for release of his film 'PadMan',we reqwsted him to move release date of his film ahead,he agreed,will be grateful to him for a lifetime:Sanjay L Bhansali pic.twitter.com/FoLQbiLa7u — ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2018 × #WATCH Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Akshay Kumar address the media in Mumbai #Padmaavat https://t.co/m8HxNJy8XA — ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2018 × "Padmaavat" has been mired in controversies ever since the crew started shooting the film last year. Their shooting locations were vandalised, director and actress were threatened and eventually, CBFC denied giving the film a release certificate. Makers of the controversial film "Padmaavat" announced January 25 as release date after CBFC passed the film with a certificate late last year. It was the earliest possible date that the makers spotted for the film amid negative sentiment growing against it. This led to a clash with an already announced release date for "PadMan" and "Aiyaary". Soon after the announcement, Siddharth Malhotra starrer "Aiyaary" shifted its date to February 9. After the latest press conference, "PadMan" and "Aiyaary" will meet its fate again on the same date -- February 9. "PadMan," tells the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, the man behind a low-cost machine for manufacturing sanitary napkins in rural India. The controversial "Padmaavat" is based on the legend of Rani Padmini of Chittor, played by Deepika Padukone.

'I will be grateful to him for a lifetime', says Bhansali after Akshay postpones 'PadMan'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/onedegree/rohingya-refugee-leaders-draw-up-demands-ahead-of-repatriation-30073">Rohingya refugee leaders draw up demands ahead of repatriation</a>

Rohingya leaders in a Bangladesh refugee camp have drawn up a list of demands they want Myanmar to meet before authorities begin sending back hundreds of thousands in a repatriation process expected to begin next week and last for two years.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-plans-of-a-modi-abbasi-meet-at-davos-mea-30082">No plans of a Modi-Abbasi meet at Davos: MEA</a>

There are no &quot;plans&quot; of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting at Davos next week, the external affairs ministry said today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/20-aap-mlas-disqualified-over-office-of-profit-30060">Election Commission disqualifies 20 AAP MLAs for holding &#39;office of profit&#39;</a>

In a major blow to Aam Aadmi Party, the Election Commission is learnt to have recommended to the President the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs for allegedly holding office of profit.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-china-justifies-building-infrastructure-in-doklam-india-says-keeping-a-close-vigil-30065">China &#39;justifies&#39; building infrastructure in Doklam; India says keeping a close vigil</a>

China on Friday justified its massive construction activities in the Doklam area, describing it as &quot;legitimate&quot; and aimed at improving the lives of its troops and the people living on its own territory.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-plea-to-cancel-cbfc-certificate-to-padmaavat-30051">Supreme Court rejects plea to cancel CBFC certificate to &#39;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-plea-to-cancel-cbfc-certificate-to-padmaavat-30051">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-plea-to-cancel-cbfc-certificate-to-padmaavat-30051">&#39;</a>

The Supreme Court today rejected a plea seeking an urgent hearing on a fresh PIL that sought cancellation of Censor Board&#39;s certificate granted to controversial Bollywood movie &#39;Padmaavat&#39;.

Rohingya refugee leaders draw up demands ahead of repatriation Rohingya leaders in a Bangladesh refugee camp have drawn up a list of demands they want Myanmar to meet before authorities begin sending back hundreds of thousands in a repatriation process expected to begin next week and last for two years. No plans of a Modi-Abbasi meet at Davos: MEA There are no "plans" of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting at Davos next week, the external affairs ministry said today. Election Commission disqualifies 20 AAP MLAs for holding 'office of profit' In a major blow to Aam Aadmi Party, the Election Commission is learnt to have recommended to the President the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs for allegedly holding office of profit. China 'justifies' building infrastructure in Doklam; India says keeping a close vigil China on Friday justified its massive construction activities in the Doklam area, describing it as "legitimate" and aimed at improving the lives of its troops and the people living on its own territory. Supreme Court rejects plea to cancel CBFC certificate to 'Padmaavat' The Supreme Court today rejected a plea seeking an urgent hearing on a fresh PIL that sought cancellation of Censor Board's certificate granted to controversial Bollywood movie 'Padmaavat'.

WION Evening News Brief, 19 January 2018

As Bollywood fans gear up for a treat on January 25 with the much-awaited film &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-plea-to-cancel-cbfc-certificate-to-padmaavat-30051" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a>&quot;&nbsp;finally getting released country-wide, there is more good news.&nbsp;

On Friday, Viacom 18 shared a sensational dialogue promo of the film between Ranveer Singh who plays the character of Sultan Alauddin Khilji and Shahid Kapoor who is the valiant Rajput&nbsp;Maharaja Rawal Ratan Singh.&nbsp;

In the short yet impactful 30-second video, the two characters are shown prepping up for war and taking a stand for their rightful ownership of the land of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.&nbsp;

Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-ranveer-singhs-transformation-padmaavats-mighty-alauddin-khilji-to-slum-boy-in-gully-boy-30062">Ranveer Singh&#39;s transformation: &#39;Padmaavat&#39;s mighty Alauddin Khilji to slum boy in &#39;Gully Boy&#39;</a>

While Ranveer is dark, mystical and ready-to-fight, Shahid is the composed, honourable ruler who knows what he is doing.&nbsp;

Watch the promo for yourself:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j2O68Ho3Zgg" width="970"></iframe>

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film recently won the fight against the Rajput Karni Sena, after the Supreme Court stayed any ruling against the release of the film in any state.&nbsp;

Based on the 1540 AD poem by the Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi, it stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles.&nbsp;

The film is set to release on January 25.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the 30-second-long video, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor's on-screen characters will give you chills with their ready-to-fight vibe

As Bollywood fans gear up for a treat on January 25 with the much-awaited film "Padmaavat" finally getting released country-wide, there is more good news. On Friday, Viacom 18 shared a sensational dialogue promo of the film between Ranveer Singh who plays the character of Sultan Alauddin Khilji and Shahid Kapoor who is the valiant Rajput Maharaja Rawal Ratan Singh. In the short yet impactful 30-second video, the two characters are shown prepping up for war and taking a stand for their rightful ownership of the land of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Also Watch: Ranveer Singh's transformation: 'Padmaavat's mighty Alauddin Khilji to slum boy in 'Gully Boy' While Ranveer is dark, mystical and ready-to-fight, Shahid is the composed, honourable ruler who knows what he is doing. Watch the promo for yourself: The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film recently won the fight against the Rajput Karni Sena, after the Supreme Court stayed any ruling against the release of the film in any state. Based on the 1540 AD poem by the Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi, it stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles. The film is set to release on January 25.

Watch 'Padmaavat' dialogue promo: Ranveer Singh as Khilji looks fierce

In a recent turn of events, &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/padmaavat-a-timeline-of-controversies-7843" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a>&quot;&nbsp;and &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padman-akshay-kumar-says-sanitary-pads-should-be-free-29590" target="_blank">PadMan</a>&quot;&nbsp;will not clash at the box office on January 25.&nbsp;

Bollywood film trade analyst took to Twitter to announce the breaking news.

He wrote: &quot;Breaking news: Pad Man release postponed to 9th February. Padmaavat will be solo release on 25th January&quot;.

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Breaking news: Pad Man release postponed to 9th February. Padmaavat will be solo release on 25th January
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According to a Mumbai-based fashion magazine, a source close to the film said:&nbsp;&quot;Padmaavat&nbsp;director Sanjay Leela Bhansali met with Akshay Kumar personally to request him to postpone his film &quot;PadMan&quot;&nbsp;and to avoid a clash with his controversy-ridden film. This comes in the wake of the film already being mired in controversies due to disputed content and depiction, as cited by some fringe elements.&nbsp;

Keeping in mind all the difficulties that came in the way of his film, Bhansali requested Akshay to push the release date of PadMan so that Padmaavat doesn&#39;t suffer at the box-office.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-panel-discussed-controversial-works-in-literature-and-cinema-during-padmaavat-proceedings-30024">SC panel discussed controversial works in literature and cinema during &#39;Padmaavat&#39; proceedings</a>

Recently, the Supreme Court <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-plea-to-cancel-cbfc-certificate-to-padmaavat-30051" target="_blank">ruled</a> in favour of the film refusing to stay ban on the film by state governments. The movie has been cleared by the CBFC and is scheduled to release on January 25.&nbsp;

PadMan, on the other hand, has had a successful pre-release run with the audience. It&nbsp;tells the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, the man behind a low-cost machine for manufacturing sanitary napkins in rural India.

The film&rsquo;s unusual storyline and its cast of Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte led to it being projected as a sure-shot winner at the box office.&nbsp;

According to reports, PadMan will now clash with Sidharth Malhotra, Manoj Bajpayee&rsquo;s &quot;Aiyaary&quot;, which is also releasing on February 9.

According to reports, Sanjay Leela Bhansali met with Akshay Kumar to postpone release date of his movie 'PadMan'

In a recent turn of events, "Padmaavat" and "PadMan" will not clash at the box office on January 25. Bollywood film trade analyst took to Twitter to announce the breaking news. He wrote: "Breaking news: Pad Man release postponed to 9th February. Padmaavat will be solo release on 25th January". Breaking news: Pad Man release postponed to 9th February. Padmaavat will be solo release on 25th January — Komal Nahta (@KomalNahta) January 19, 2018 × According to a Mumbai-based fashion magazine, a source close to the film said: "Padmaavat director Sanjay Leela Bhansali met with Akshay Kumar personally to request him to postpone his film "PadMan" and to avoid a clash with his controversy-ridden film. This comes in the wake of the film already being mired in controversies due to disputed content and depiction, as cited by some fringe elements. Keeping in mind all the difficulties that came in the way of his film, Bhansali requested Akshay to push the release date of PadMan so that Padmaavat doesn't suffer at the box-office. Also Read: SC panel discussed controversial works in literature and cinema during 'Padmaavat' proceedings Recently, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the film refusing to stay ban on the film by state governments. The movie has been cleared by the CBFC and is scheduled to release on January 25. PadMan, on the other hand, has had a successful pre-release run with the audience. It tells the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, the man behind a low-cost machine for manufacturing sanitary napkins in rural India. The film’s unusual storyline and its cast of Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte led to it being projected as a sure-shot winner at the box office. According to reports, PadMan will now clash with Sidharth Malhotra, Manoj Bajpayee’s "Aiyaary", which is also releasing on February 9.

'PadMan' to not clash with 'Padmaavat', shifts release date to February 9

Karni Sena protestors have once again taken the law into their hands after they vandalised a cinema hall in Muzaffarpur city in Bihar on Thursday.&nbsp;

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Protesters vandalize a cinema hall in Bihar&#39;s Muzaffarpur. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/MlleJsFBkE">pic.twitter.com/MlleJsFBkE</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/953954580525494274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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This comes in the wake of Supreme Court&#39;s judgement against ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s film &quot;Padmaavat&quot; in four states namely Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The court ruled in favour of the makers of the film who said that the film had got a release certificate by the Central Board of Film certification and a blanket state ban on the film did not make sense.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;When Bandit Queen can release, why not </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917" target="_blank">, says Supreme Court</a>

Reacting to this news, Karni Sena called for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-should-not-be-screened-appeal-to-public-to-impose-curfew-karni-sena-chief-29942" target="_blank">&quot;Junta Curfew&quot;</a>&nbsp;(public curfew) and vandalised cinema halls in Muzaffarpur.&nbsp;

A leader of the group talking to IANS said that they&nbsp;would reach out to cinema hall owners across the country, asking them to not show the movie or face the consequences.

On Tuesday, Karni Sena had taken out a massive rally in Rajasthan&#39;s Dholpur to demand a countrywide ban on &quot;Padmaavat&quot;, which is scheduled for release on January 25.

They have <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-women-of-kshatriya-community-threaten-to-perform-jauhar-if-the-films-release-is-not-stalled-29572" target="_blank">threatened</a> mass immolation if the film is not banned.

&nbsp;

This comes after Supreme Court of India ruled against ban on the film as it has been granted a clearance certificate by the CBFC

Karni Sena protestors have once again taken the law into their hands after they vandalised a cinema hall in Muzaffarpur city in Bihar on Thursday. Protesters vandalize a cinema hall in Bihar's Muzaffarpur. #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/MlleJsFBkE — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2018 × This comes in the wake of Supreme Court's judgement against ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film "Padmaavat" in four states namely Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The court ruled in favour of the makers of the film who said that the film had got a release certificate by the Central Board of Film certification and a blanket state ban on the film did not make sense. Also Read: When Bandit Queen can release, why not Padmaavat, says Supreme Court Reacting to this news, Karni Sena called for "Junta Curfew" (public curfew) and vandalised cinema halls in Muzaffarpur. A leader of the group talking to IANS said that they would reach out to cinema hall owners across the country, asking them to not show the movie or face the consequences. On Tuesday, Karni Sena had taken out a massive rally in Rajasthan's Dholpur to demand a countrywide ban on "Padmaavat", which is scheduled for release on January 25. They have threatened mass immolation if the film is not banned.

Padmaavat: Karni Sena workers vandalise Bihar cinema hall

As Supreme court cleared the release of Padmaavat in four states, fringe group Rajput Karni Sena has threatened to burn cinema halls that screen the film.&nbsp; 
 
The film was earlier banned in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana and SC have directed these states to screen the film. 
 
Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Rajput Karni Sena Chief in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh is now asking the public to impose curfew in all the halls that screen the film.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I appeal to all social groups across the country to not let Padmaavat screen in any theater. People should impose curfew on cinema halls,&quot;saiud Kalvi. 
&nbsp;

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Poore desh ke saamajik sangathanon se appeal karoonga <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> nahi chalni chahiye. Film hall par janta curfew laga de: Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Rajput Karni Sena Chief in Ujjain <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadhyaPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadhyaPradesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/kxIYAE38EV">pic.twitter.com/kxIYAE38EV</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/953914770884734976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile,&nbsp;controversial Haryana politician Suraj Pal Amu has said that if the film is released, the country will fall apart.

&quot;Today the Supreme has hurt the sentiments of crores of people, who respect the court. We will continue our struggle, even if we are sent to the gallows. If this film is released, the country will fall apart,&quot; Amu said. 
&nbsp;

Lokendra Singh Kalvi appeal comes after Supreme Court cleared the film in four states.

As Supreme court cleared the release of Padmaavat in four states, fringe group Rajput Karni Sena has threatened to burn cinema halls that screen the film. The film was earlier banned in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana and SC have directed these states to screen the film. Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Rajput Karni Sena Chief in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh is now asking the public to impose curfew in all the halls that screen the film. "I appeal to all social groups across the country to not let Padmaavat screen in any theater. People should impose curfew on cinema halls,"saiud Kalvi. Poore desh ke saamajik sangathanon se appeal karoonga #Padmaavat nahi chalni chahiye. Film hall par janta curfew laga de: Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Rajput Karni Sena Chief in Ujjain #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/kxIYAE38EV — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2018 × Meanwhile, controversial Haryana politician Suraj Pal Amu has said that if the film is released, the country will fall apart. "Today the Supreme has hurt the sentiments of crores of people, who respect the court. We will continue our struggle, even if we are sent to the gallows. If this film is released, the country will fall apart," Amu said.

Padmaavat should not be screened, appeal to public to impose 'curfew': Karni Sena chief

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has come out in support of Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s Padmaavat. The filmmaker screened the film for the spiritual leader on Wednesday evening at his ashram.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;I loved the movie and haven&#39;t found anything objectionable about it. Very shocked to see people protesting, as the movie is about Rajput honour and is a beautiful tribute to Rani Padmavati. I request people to go watch the movie, it will make you proud. Padmaavat should be celebrated across India,&rdquo; said the Art of Living founder.

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (WION)
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Sanjay Leela Bhansali screened Padmaavat for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Wednesday evening at his ashram. (WION)
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Padmaavat has been in the middle of a controversy as a fringe group, Rajput Karni Sena demanded a ban on the film&#39;s release as they felt it dishonoured the Rajput community and Queen Padmini. &nbsp; 
 
While the film was cleared by CBFC in the first week of January with a demand of title change and 5 modifications in the story, four states decided to ban the film. On Thursday, the Supreme Court stayed the ban and cleared the film&#39;s release.&nbsp;

Sanjay Leela Bhansali screened the film for the spiritual leader at his ashram on Wednesday.

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has come out in support of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat. The filmmaker screened the film for the spiritual leader on Wednesday evening at his ashram. “I loved the movie and haven't found anything objectionable about it. Very shocked to see people protesting, as the movie is about Rajput honour and is a beautiful tribute to Rani Padmavati. I request people to go watch the movie, it will make you proud. Padmaavat should be celebrated across India,” said the Art of Living founder. Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (WION) × Sanjay Leela Bhansali screened Padmaavat for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Wednesday evening at his ashram. (WION) × Padmaavat has been in the middle of a controversy as a fringe group, Rajput Karni Sena demanded a ban on the film's release as they felt it dishonoured the Rajput community and Queen Padmini. While the film was cleared by CBFC in the first week of January with a demand of title change and 5 modifications in the story, four states decided to ban the film. On Thursday, the Supreme Court stayed the ban and cleared the film's release.

Sri Sri Ravi Sankar bats for Padmaavat, says film should be celebrated across India

Even after the Supreme Court cleared decks for release of Padmaavat, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/final-warning-padmaavat-should-not-be-released-say-protesters-after-supreme-court-order-29929">opposition against the Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s film</a> continues. Controversial Haryana politician Suraj Pal Amu has said that if the film is released, the country will fall apart.

&quot;Today the Supreme has hurt the sentiments of crores of people, who respect the court. We will continue our struggle, even if we are sent to the gallows. If this film is released, the country will fall apart,&quot; Amu said.

Amu, a former BJP leader, had offered a Rs 10 crore bounty last year to anybody who beheaded director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the film&#39;s lead actress Deepika Padukone. He had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/haryana-bjps-chief-media-coordinator-who-offered-rs-10-crore-bounty-for-beheading-deepika-padukone-resigns-25417">resigned from the party</a> after controversy over his remarks.

The BJP had issued a show-cause notice to Amu and asked him to apologise.

Padmaavat has been accused of distorting historical facts by fringe groups. The objection is to an alleged dream sequence between Deepika Padukone&#39;s Rani Padmini and Ranveer Singh&#39;s Alauddin Khilji, a claim that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has repeatedly rubbished.

Padmaavat was originally scheduled to hit theatres on December 1 but its co-producers Viacom 18 deferred the film&#39;s release after film ran into trouble with the censor board. Widespread protests followed from the fringe groups, especially in Rajput-dominated areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, against the release of films prompting the censor board to form a panel to review the film; the film&#39;s name was finally changed to &#39;Padmaavat&#39; and the release date decided as January 25, 2018.

But the fringe groups kept protesting against the film&#39;s release, and the governments of Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat said they will not allow Padmaavat to be released in their states.

The filmmakers then approcahed the Supreme Court which on Thursday (January 18) <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917">stayed the ban</a>, clearing decks for the film&#39;s pan-India release.

Amu, a former BJP leader, had offered a Rs 10 crore bounty last year to anybody who beheaded director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the film's lead actress Deepika Padukone.

Even after the Supreme Court cleared decks for release of Padmaavat, opposition against the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film continues. Controversial Haryana politician Suraj Pal Amu has said that if the film is released, the country will fall apart. "Today the Supreme has hurt the sentiments of crores of people, who respect the court. We will continue our struggle, even if we are sent to the gallows. If this film is released, the country will fall apart," Amu said. Amu, a former BJP leader, had offered a Rs 10 crore bounty last year to anybody who beheaded director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the film's lead actress Deepika Padukone. He had resigned from the party after controversy over his remarks. The BJP had issued a show-cause notice to Amu and asked him to apologise. Padmaavat has been accused of distorting historical facts by fringe groups. The objection is to an alleged dream sequence between Deepika Padukone's Rani Padmini and Ranveer Singh's Alauddin Khilji, a claim that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has repeatedly rubbished. Padmaavat was originally scheduled to hit theatres on December 1 but its co-producers Viacom 18 deferred the film's release after film ran into trouble with the censor board. Widespread protests followed from the fringe groups, especially in Rajput-dominated areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, against the release of films prompting the censor board to form a panel to review the film; the film's name was finally changed to 'Padmaavat' and the release date decided as January 25, 2018. But the fringe groups kept protesting against the film's release, and the governments of Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat said they will not allow Padmaavat to be released in their states. The filmmakers then approcahed the Supreme Court which on Thursday (January 18) stayed the ban, clearing decks for the film's pan-India release.

If Padmaavat is released, the country will fall apart: Suraj Pal Amu

Members of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-women-of-kshatriya-community-threaten-to-perform-jauhar-if-the-films-release-is-not-stalled-29572">Rajput community</a> have refused to accept the decision of the Supreme Court allowing the screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s Padmaavat.

&quot;We do not accept the decison of Supreme Court on Padmaavat. Our protest will continue,&quot; said Vikramaditya Singh, state president of Sarv Rajput Kshatriya Mahasabha in Raipur.

&quot;Members of the Rajput community have submitted a memorandum to Chhattisgarh Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra demanding ban on Padmaavat in the state. Cinema halls screening the film would be burnt down. No changes hereafter are acceptable. We want a complete ban. This is our final warning,&quot; he added.

The Supreme Court on Thursday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917">cleared the decks</a> for the all-India release of controversial movie &#39;Padmaavat&#39; on January 25 and stayed notifications and orders issued by Rajasthan and Gujarat prohibiting exhibition of the film in their states.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also restrained any other state from issuing such notifications and orders prohibiting exhibition of the movie.

&quot;We direct that there shall be a stay of operation on the notification and orders issued and we also restrain other states from issuing such notifications or orders in this matter,&quot; the bench said in its interim order.

Senior advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi, representing Viacom 18 and other producers of the movie, told the bench that states have no power to issue such notifications banning exhibition of a film when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has given a certificate of release.

Governments of Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-now-rajasthan-bans-the-film-keeping-public-interest-in-mind-29892">Rajasthan</a> had declared that they will not allow screening of the movie, which stars Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles.

The producers submitted <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-producers-move-supreme-court-against-states-banning-release-29802">before the Supreme Court</a> that the movie has undergone changes including in its title as suggested by the CBFC.

Asserting that the film has been cleared by the CBFC, the plea has said that the states cannot impose a blanket ban on a film and its screening can be suspended in a particular area or areas on account of law and order problem, not across the states.

The film is based on the saga of the historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi.

The set of the movie was vandalised twice - in Jaipur and Kolhapur, while its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was roughed up by members of the Karni Sena last year.

(With PTI inputs)

The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the decks for the all-India release of controversial movie 'Padmaavat' on January 25.

Members of the Rajput community have refused to accept the decision of the Supreme Court allowing the screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat. "We do not accept the decison of Supreme Court on Padmaavat. Our protest will continue," said Vikramaditya Singh, state president of Sarv Rajput Kshatriya Mahasabha in Raipur. "Members of the Rajput community have submitted a memorandum to Chhattisgarh Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra demanding ban on Padmaavat in the state. Cinema halls screening the film would be burnt down. No changes hereafter are acceptable. We want a complete ban. This is our final warning," he added. The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the decks for the all-India release of controversial movie 'Padmaavat' on January 25 and stayed notifications and orders issued by Rajasthan and Gujarat prohibiting exhibition of the film in their states. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also restrained any other state from issuing such notifications and orders prohibiting exhibition of the movie. "We direct that there shall be a stay of operation on the notification and orders issued and we also restrain other states from issuing such notifications or orders in this matter," the bench said in its interim order. Senior advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi, representing Viacom 18 and other producers of the movie, told the bench that states have no power to issue such notifications banning exhibition of a film when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has given a certificate of release. Governments of Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan had declared that they will not allow screening of the movie, which stars Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles. The producers submitted before the Supreme Court that the movie has undergone changes including in its title as suggested by the CBFC. Asserting that the film has been cleared by the CBFC, the plea has said that the states cannot impose a blanket ban on a film and its screening can be suspended in a particular area or areas on account of law and order problem, not across the states. The film is based on the saga of the historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi. The set of the movie was vandalised twice - in Jaipur and Kolhapur, while its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was roughed up by members of the Karni Sena last year. (With PTI inputs)

'Final warning, Padmaavat should not be released', say protesters after Supreme Court order

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-now-rajasthan-bans-the-film-keeping-public-interest-in-mind-29892" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-now-rajasthan-bans-the-film-keeping-public-interest-in-mind-29892" target="_blank">: Now, Rajasthan bans the film keeping public interest in mind</a>

After Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, Rajasthan is the fourth state to officially ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s&nbsp;Padmaavat. The film, that is scheduled to release in theaters on January 25th will not be releasing in Rajasthan, a notice by the Rajasthan government said.

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A former CIA official who lives in Hong Kong was arrested by US authorities in New York airport on Monday after FBI agents allegedly found classified information in his hotel room, including two small books containing information on details of true names and numbers of spy recruits and covert CIA employees.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/spike-anti-tank-missile-deal-with-india-back-on-track-netanyahu-29889" target="_blank">Spike anti-tank missile deal with India back on track: Netanyahu</a>

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a four-day visit to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-cancels-spike-anti-tank-guided-missiles-deal-with-israel-28444">India confirmed the Spike anti-tank missile&nbsp;</a>deal which was scrapped by India a fortnight ago was back on track, Israel media reported.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-lawmakers-back-brexit-legislation-stiffer-tests-yet-to-come-29888" target="_blank">British lawmakers back Brexit legislation, stiffer tests yet to come</a>

British lawmakers voted in favour of the government&#39;s legislative blueprint for&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;on Wednesday, marking a victory for Prime Minister Theresa May over political opponents who want a softer approach to leaving the European Union.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1-bsf-soldier-killed-3-civilians-injured-in-ceasefire-violation-in-jk-29887" target="_blank">J&amp;K: 1 BSF soldier killed, 3 civilians injured as Pak troops open fire along LoC</a>

A BSF soldier lost his life after a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-troops-fire-at-loc-posts-in-poonch-army-captain-injured-29759" target="_blank">ceasefire violation by the&nbsp;Pakistan forces</a>&nbsp;in the R S Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp; The firing by Pakistan troops also hit neighbouring villages injuring 3 civilians

Padmaavat: Now, Rajasthan bans the film keeping public interest in mind After Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, Rajasthan is the fourth state to officially ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat. The film, that is scheduled to release in theaters on January 25th will not be releasing in Rajasthan, a notice by the Rajasthan government said. US arrests ex-CIA official linked to spying for China A former CIA official who lives in Hong Kong was arrested by US authorities in New York airport on Monday after FBI agents allegedly found classified information in his hotel room, including two small books containing information on details of true names and numbers of spy recruits and covert CIA employees. Spike anti-tank missile deal with India back on track: Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a four-day visit to India confirmed the Spike anti-tank missile deal which was scrapped by India a fortnight ago was back on track, Israel media reported. British lawmakers back Brexit legislation, stiffer tests yet to come British lawmakers voted in favour of the government's legislative blueprint for Brexit on Wednesday, marking a victory for Prime Minister Theresa May over political opponents who want a softer approach to leaving the European Union. J&K: 1 BSF soldier killed, 3 civilians injured as Pak troops open fire along LoC A BSF soldier lost his life after a ceasefire violation by the Pakistan forces in the R S Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The firing by Pakistan troops also hit neighbouring villages injuring 3 civilians

WION Morning News brief, January 18, 2018

After Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, Rajasthan is the fourth state to officially ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s Padmaavat. The film, that is scheduled to release in theaters on January 25th will not be releasing in Rajasthan, a notice by the Rajasthan government said. 
 
According to the notice, the movie has been banned keeping public interest in mind, and to maintain law and order situation in the state. 
 
&quot;The Government of Rajasthan considers it necessary to do so in public interest, to maintain the law and order situation,&quot; said the order issued by the Home Department of the Rajasthan government. 
 
&quot;This ban on exhibition of the film shall come into effect from [January 17, 2018]. No cinema owner or distributor shall exhibit the said movie in any Cinema/Multiplex/Video cinema/Touring cinema etc within the jurisdiction of the state of Rajasthan,&quot; the order added. 
 
A few days earlier, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje had also announced the film will not be screened in any theater in the state. 
 
&quot;Rani Padmini&rsquo;s sacrifice is associated with honour, esteem and pride of the state, so Rani Padmini is not merely a history chapter for us, but is our self-esteem. We will not allow her dignity to be hurt howsoever,&rdquo; the CM had said in a statement. 
 
The film has been riddled with controversy for a long time. It was earlier scheduled to release on December 1, 2017, but the film was not given a certification until January first week when the CBFC demanded a change in the title of the film- from Padmavati to Padmaavat- and asked for 5 modifications and cleared it for a commercial release.&nbsp; 
 
Fringe outfit Rajput Karni Sena had raised opposition against the content of the film stating it dishonoured Queen Padmini of Chittor. The makers have categorically stated that the film, in no way dishonours the Rajput queen.&nbsp; 
Bhansali has stated that the film is based on Jayasi&#39;s poem Padmavat. The film stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead roles.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Rajasthan is the fourth state to ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film.

After Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, Rajasthan is the fourth state to officially ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat. The film, that is scheduled to release in theaters on January 25th will not be releasing in Rajasthan, a notice by the Rajasthan government said. According to the notice, the movie has been banned keeping public interest in mind, and to maintain law and order situation in the state. "The Government of Rajasthan considers it necessary to do so in public interest, to maintain the law and order situation," said the order issued by the Home Department of the Rajasthan government. "This ban on exhibition of the film shall come into effect from [January 17, 2018]. No cinema owner or distributor shall exhibit the said movie in any Cinema/Multiplex/Video cinema/Touring cinema etc within the jurisdiction of the state of Rajasthan," the order added. A few days earlier, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje had also announced the film will not be screened in any theater in the state. "Rani Padmini’s sacrifice is associated with honour, esteem and pride of the state, so Rani Padmini is not merely a history chapter for us, but is our self-esteem. We will not allow her dignity to be hurt howsoever,” the CM had said in a statement. The film has been riddled with controversy for a long time. It was earlier scheduled to release on December 1, 2017, but the film was not given a certification until January first week when the CBFC demanded a change in the title of the film- from Padmavati to Padmaavat- and asked for 5 modifications and cleared it for a commercial release. Fringe outfit Rajput Karni Sena had raised opposition against the content of the film stating it dishonoured Queen Padmini of Chittor. The makers have categorically stated that the film, in no way dishonours the Rajput queen. Bhansali has stated that the film is based on Jayasi's poem Padmavat. The film stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead roles.

Padmaavat: Now, Rajasthan bans the film keeping public interest in mind

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhoopendra Singh said that people should not even play Padmaavat&nbsp;songs.

The film has already been banned in Madhya Pradesh.

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MP govt banned <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a>, people shouldn&#39;t even play songs of it. If someone plays a banned song, it must be reported to police &amp; not take matter in your own hands. Action to be taken against culprits: MP HM on school vandalised in Jaora after students performed on song Ghoomar <a href="https://t.co/47LJAfVfC7">pic.twitter.com/47LJAfVfC7</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/953633332503363585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The statement followed the incident where the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/madhya-pradesh-student-injured-as-rajput-karni-sena-vandalise-school-for-padmaavat-performance-29634">Rajput Karni Sena vandalised a school in Madhya Pradesh</a> on Monday.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-women-of-kshatriya-community-threaten-to-perform-jauhar-if-the-films-release-is-not-stalled-29572">Kshatriya women threaten to commit jauhar if Padmaavat release is not stalled</a>

Saint Paul&#39;s Convent School in Madhya Pradesh was vandalised by the Karni Sena as students performed to a song from Bhansali&#39;s magnum opus.

Members of Karni Sena allegedly destroyed school&#39;s property; a student was also reported injured during the mishap.

Deepika Padukone starrer&nbsp;Padmaavat&nbsp;has been banned in four states -- Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and <a href="http://Haryana becomes fourth state to ban 'Padmaavat'">Haryana.</a>

Also read: Padmaavat: Have the makers preponed the release date to January 24th?

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-producers-move-supreme-court-against-states-banning-release-29802">Makers of the movie have moved the Supreme Court</a> against the ban; according to reports, the apex court has agreed to hear the plea.

Padmaavat has been scheduled to release on January 26th and is set to clash with Akshay Kumar&#39;s PadMan.

The movie features Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles.

The statement followed the incident where Rajput Karni Sena vandalised a school in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhoopendra Singh said that people should not even play Padmaavat songs. The film has already been banned in Madhya Pradesh. MP govt banned #Padmaavat, people shouldn't even play songs of it. If someone plays a banned song, it must be reported to police & not take matter in your own hands. Action to be taken against culprits: MP HM on school vandalised in Jaora after students performed on song Ghoomar pic.twitter.com/47LJAfVfC7 — ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2018 × The statement followed the incident where the Rajput Karni Sena vandalised a school in Madhya Pradesh on Monday. Also read: Kshatriya women threaten to commit jauhar if Padmaavat release is not stalled Saint Paul's Convent School in Madhya Pradesh was vandalised by the Karni Sena as students performed to a song from Bhansali's magnum opus. Members of Karni Sena allegedly destroyed school's property; a student was also reported injured during the mishap. Deepika Padukone starrer Padmaavat has been banned in four states -- Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana. Also read: Padmaavat: Have the makers preponed the release date to January 24th? Makers of the movie have moved the Supreme Court against the ban; according to reports, the apex court has agreed to hear the plea. Padmaavat has been scheduled to release on January 26th and is set to clash with Akshay Kumar's PadMan. The movie features Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles.

Even Padmaavat's songs should not be played: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/netanyahu-meets-moshe-at-chabad-house-calls-it-a-unique-blend-of-love-and-hatred-29966">Netanyahu meets Moshe at Chabad House, calls it &#39;a unique blend of love and hatred&#39;</a>

The Chabad House is a unique blend of love and hatred towards the people of Israel, the country&#39;s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917">When Bandit Queen can release, why not </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917">, says Supreme Court</a>

The Supreme Court said Thursday that the movie Padmaavat would have to be released across the country. Four states -- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh -- had banned the release of the film.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lucknow-schoolgirl-who-attacked-class-1-boy-with-knife-had-wanted-a-holiday-29965">Lucknow: Schoolgirl who attacked class 1 boy with knife had wanted a holiday</a>

Police said Thursday that the 11-year-old girl who attacked the Class 1 boy with a sharp-edged weapon in the toilet of his Lucknow school had wanted a holiday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-named-icc-cricketer-of-the-year-29916">Virat Kohli named ICC Cricketer of the Year</a>

Indian captain Virat Kohli has been awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, besides bagging the top honour for ODI players in the ICC annual awards, announced in Dubai.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/australia-lifesaving-drone-makes-first-rescue-29970">In world first, drone rescues 2 swimmers off Australian beach</a>

A pair of Australian swimmers on Thursday became the first people to be rescued in the ocean by a drone when the aerial lifesaver dropped a safety device to distressed teens caught in rough seas.

Netanyahu meets Moshe at Chabad House, calls it 'a unique blend of love and hatred' The Chabad House is a unique blend of love and hatred towards the people of Israel, the country's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said today. When Bandit Queen can release, why not Padmaavat, says Supreme Court The Supreme Court said Thursday that the movie Padmaavat would have to be released across the country. Four states -- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh -- had banned the release of the film. Lucknow: Schoolgirl who attacked class 1 boy with knife had wanted a holiday Police said Thursday that the 11-year-old girl who attacked the Class 1 boy with a sharp-edged weapon in the toilet of his Lucknow school had wanted a holiday. Virat Kohli named ICC Cricketer of the Year Indian captain Virat Kohli has been awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, besides bagging the top honour for ODI players in the ICC annual awards, announced in Dubai. In world first, drone rescues 2 swimmers off Australian beach A pair of Australian swimmers on Thursday became the first people to be rescued in the ocean by a drone when the aerial lifesaver dropped a safety device to distressed teens caught in rough seas.

WION Evening News brief, 18 January, 2018

On Wednesday there was uncertainty and fear surrounding the future of&nbsp;Padmavati. Will the producers Viacom 18 Motion Pictures actually be able to release the film in spite of the threat? The fringe group claiming to represent the Rajput&nbsp;community has sent out threatening letters to individual multiplex theatres across the country.

A worried manager of a leading multiplex told me, &ldquo;Even if we overlook the threat and decide to release&nbsp;the&nbsp;film the mall owners would be worried about the security&nbsp;of the shoppers.&nbsp;So if the mall owner says no, we can&rsquo;t release&nbsp;Padmaavat. And what about the patrons who come to see&nbsp;PadMan?&nbsp;They will be scared away because of the violent&nbsp;treats&nbsp;for&nbsp;Padamavat.&rdquo;

But on Thursday the clouds of doubts were partially dispelled when the honourable Supreme Court ruled against the ban imposed on the film by 4 Indian states.

Not just Sanjay&nbsp;Leela&nbsp;Bhansali&nbsp;the entire film industry, petrified to speak up, breathed a sigh of relief.&nbsp;One&nbsp;of&nbsp;the first filmmakers to react with unbridled joy at the SC&rsquo;s verdict was R&nbsp;&nbsp;Balki&nbsp;whose&nbsp;PadMan&nbsp;gets directly affected by the release of&nbsp;Padmavati&nbsp;on the same day.

Says&nbsp;Balki, &ldquo;This is a victory democracy, the right&nbsp;to freedom of expression and for the film industry being held at ransom by fringe groups. I can&rsquo;t even begin to imagine the&nbsp; relief that Viacom 18 and&nbsp;Sanjay&nbsp;Leela&nbsp;Bhansali&nbsp;must be feeling.&rdquo;

It is good to hear a&nbsp; voice from the film industry finally&nbsp;speak up. There has been a strange quietude among&nbsp;&nbsp;Sanjay&nbsp;Bhansali&rsquo;s colleagues. Perhaps they are too scared to speak up. A&nbsp;prominent actor who is a member&nbsp;of parliament had promised to raise the&nbsp;Padmavat&nbsp;issue in parliament. That actor is now&nbsp;tightlipped,&nbsp;afraid to talk.

&ldquo;It is not fear of the fringe groups that&nbsp;keeps&nbsp;me from raising my voice in parliament. It is the fear of being proven wrong.&nbsp;What if tomorrow, when the film releases and it has something genuinely&nbsp;objectionable in it?&nbsp; Even earlier in&nbsp;Bajirao&nbsp;Mastani,&nbsp;Bhansali&nbsp;had portrayed the Maratha warrior as dancing to an aggressive song.&nbsp;What if&nbsp;something like&nbsp;that pops up in&nbsp;Padmavat?&rdquo;&nbsp;asks this&nbsp;otherwise-fearless parliamentarian.

Wait-and-watch&nbsp;seems to&nbsp;be&nbsp;the policy&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;Padmaavat. In the days before the release of the volatile film on January&nbsp;25, we can expect several&nbsp;private screenings&nbsp;for&nbsp;various influential&nbsp;elements including perhaps&nbsp;some&nbsp;leaders from&nbsp;the&nbsp;fringe groups.

Back&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Bhansalis&rsquo;&nbsp;residence, there was cautious&nbsp;optimism about&nbsp;the SC&nbsp; order to&nbsp;ban&nbsp;the ban, so to speak. Minutes after the&nbsp; SC&nbsp; verdict the filmmaker who hasn&rsquo;t slept much in recent weeks was on the&nbsp;phone&nbsp;in a&nbsp;huddle over&nbsp;release plans. A&nbsp; close family member said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s&nbsp;great&nbsp;to hear&nbsp;the&nbsp; Supreme&nbsp; Court lift the ban. But will the States pay ahead? And&nbsp; more importantly, will &nbsp;the&nbsp; fringe groups listen to the&nbsp; verdict?&rdquo;

Good point, that.&nbsp; Just an hour after the SC&rsquo;s&nbsp; wonderful&nbsp;verdict theatre&nbsp;owners received&nbsp;renewed warnings.

A&nbsp; theatre owner in&nbsp;Bihar&nbsp;says he is not releasing&nbsp;the on&nbsp;January 25. &ldquo;Even ifNitishji&nbsp;doesn&rsquo;t&nbsp;ban the&nbsp;film I won&rsquo;t&nbsp;release&nbsp;the&nbsp;film on 25th. I will see how it goes&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;other theatres on January 25 and&nbsp;&nbsp;release&nbsp;the&nbsp; film accordingly on January 26.&rdquo;

Long live democracy.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A close family member of Sanjay Bhansali said. “It’s great to hear the Supreme Court lift the ban. But will the States pay ahead? And more importantly, will the fringe groups listen to the verdict?”

On Wednesday there was uncertainty and fear surrounding the future of Padmavati. Will the producers Viacom 18 Motion Pictures actually be able to release the film in spite of the threat? The fringe group claiming to represent the Rajput community has sent out threatening letters to individual multiplex theatres across the country. A worried manager of a leading multiplex told me, “Even if we overlook the threat and decide to release the film the mall owners would be worried about the security of the shoppers. So if the mall owner says no, we can’t release Padmaavat. And what about the patrons who come to see PadMan? They will be scared away because of the violent treats for Padamavat.” But on Thursday the clouds of doubts were partially dispelled when the honourable Supreme Court ruled against the ban imposed on the film by 4 Indian states. Not just Sanjay Leela Bhansali the entire film industry, petrified to speak up, breathed a sigh of relief. One of the first filmmakers to react with unbridled joy at the SC’s verdict was R Balki whose PadMan gets directly affected by the release of Padmavati on the same day. Says Balki, “This is a victory democracy, the right to freedom of expression and for the film industry being held at ransom by fringe groups. I can’t even begin to imagine the relief that Viacom 18 and Sanjay Leela Bhansali must be feeling.” It is good to hear a voice from the film industry finally speak up. There has been a strange quietude among Sanjay Bhansali’s colleagues. Perhaps they are too scared to speak up. A prominent actor who is a member of parliament had promised to raise the Padmavat issue in parliament. That actor is now tightlipped, afraid to talk. “It is not fear of the fringe groups that keeps me from raising my voice in parliament. It is the fear of being proven wrong. What if tomorrow, when the film releases and it has something genuinely objectionable in it? Even earlier in Bajirao Mastani, Bhansali had portrayed the Maratha warrior as dancing to an aggressive song. What if something like that pops up in Padmavat?” asks this otherwise-fearless parliamentarian. Wait-and-watch seems to be the policy regarding Padmaavat. In the days before the release of the volatile film on January 25, we can expect several private screenings for various influential elements including perhaps some leaders from the fringe groups. Back at the Bhansalis’ residence, there was cautious optimism about the SC order to ban the ban, so to speak. Minutes after the SC verdict the filmmaker who hasn’t slept much in recent weeks was on the phone in a huddle over release plans. A close family member said. “It’s great to hear the Supreme Court lift the ban. But will the States pay ahead? And more importantly, will the fringe groups listen to the verdict?” Good point, that. Just an hour after the SC’s wonderful verdict theatre owners received renewed warnings. A theatre owner in Bihar says he is not releasing the on January 25. “Even ifNitishji doesn’t ban the film I won’t release the film on 25th. I will see how it goes with the other theatres on January 25 and release the film accordingly on January 26.” Long live democracy. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: For Padmaavat, next challenge is movie hall owners

The Supreme Court said Thursday that the movie Padmaavat would have to be released across the country.&nbsp;Four states -- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh -- had banned the release of the film.&nbsp;

&quot;When Bandit Queen can be released, why not this movie?&quot; Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra asked while passing his order. Bandit Queen was the controversial 1994 movie made on the life of dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi.&nbsp;

The court added that a state cannot ban a movie on the expectation that it will lead to law and order troubles. And that it was the states&#39; job to ensure peace.&nbsp;

Padmaavat, which has been cleared by the CBFC, is scheduled for release on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/confirmed-padmavat-to-release-on-january-25th-28879">January 25</a>.&nbsp;

The movie&#39;s producers -- Bhansali Productions and Viacom18 Motion Pictures -- had approached the Supreme Court after the four states had banned the release.&nbsp;

The producers had in their petition referred to an earlier Supreme Court order stating that the release of a film cannot be banned on the expectation of law and order troubles.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://Also read: " target="_blank"> should not be screened, appeal to public to impose &#39;curfew&#39;, says Karni Sena chief</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-ban-rajasthan-haryana-say-they-respect-sc-decision-will-look-for-legal-provision-29944" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-ban-rajasthan-haryana-say-they-respect-sc-decision-will-look-for-legal-provision-29944" target="_blank"> release row: Rajasthan, Haryana say they respect SC decision, will see if can appeal</a>

Representing the producers at the court, lawyer Harish Salve said to the court the federal structure is destroyed if the states ban a film. &quot;If somebody has a problem, then he or she can approach appellate tribunal for relief. The state can&#39;t touch the content of a film. Request the Central government to pass a direction to the states for a better and an effective step and solution,&quot; Salve said while representing producers of Padmaavat at the Supreme Court.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-sri-ravi-sankar-bats-for-padmaavat-says-film-should-be-celebrated-across-india-29937">Also</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-sri-ravi-sankar-bats-for-padmaavat-says-film-should-be-celebrated-across-india-29937"> see:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-sri-ravi-sankar-bats-for-padmaavat-says-film-should-be-celebrated-across-india-29937">Sri Sri</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-sri-ravi-sankar-bats-for-padmaavat-says-film-should-be-celebrated-across-india-29937"> Ravi Sankar bats for Padmaavat, says film should be celebrated across India</a>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Here is what producers of <a href="https://twitter.com/filmpadmaavat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@filmpadmaavat</a> had asked. <a href="https://t.co/liAkS5j5wZ">pic.twitter.com/liAkS5j5wZ</a>
&mdash; Bar &amp; Bench (@barandbench) <a href="https://twitter.com/barandbench/status/953882957990604802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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A bench of CJI and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said cinemas are an inseparable part of Right to Free Speech and Expression through the medium of celluloid and guaranteed under Article 19 of Constitution. The court said all states are constitutionally obliged to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident during the screening of the film across India, a permission granted by CBFC. SC posted the matter for further hearing on March 26th.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917">Also see: Is Padmaavat releasing on January 24th?&nbsp;</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-producers-move-supreme-court-against-states-banning-release-29802">On Wednesday Bhansali and Viacom 18, producers of the film had moved SC to contest the ban.&nbsp;</a>

Padmaavat features Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead roles and is scheduled to release across the country on January 25th.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Supreme Court said Thursday that Padmaavat would have to be released across the country

The Supreme Court said Thursday that the movie Padmaavat would have to be released across the country. Four states -- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh -- had banned the release of the film. "When Bandit Queen can be released, why not this movie?" Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra asked while passing his order. Bandit Queen was the controversial 1994 movie made on the life of dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi. The court added that a state cannot ban a movie on the expectation that it will lead to law and order troubles. And that it was the states' job to ensure peace. Padmaavat, which has been cleared by the CBFC, is scheduled for release on January 25. The movie's producers -- Bhansali Productions and Viacom18 Motion Pictures -- had approached the Supreme Court after the four states had banned the release. The producers had in their petition referred to an earlier Supreme Court order stating that the release of a film cannot be banned on the expectation of law and order troubles. Also read: Padmaavat should not be screened, appeal to public to impose 'curfew', says Karni Sena chief Also read: Padmaavat release row: Rajasthan, Haryana say they respect SC decision, will see if can appeal Representing the producers at the court, lawyer Harish Salve said to the court the federal structure is destroyed if the states ban a film. "If somebody has a problem, then he or she can approach appellate tribunal for relief. The state can't touch the content of a film. Request the Central government to pass a direction to the states for a better and an effective step and solution," Salve said while representing producers of Padmaavat at the Supreme Court. Also see: Sri Sri Ravi Sankar bats for Padmaavat, says film should be celebrated across India Here is what producers of @filmpadmaavat had asked. pic.twitter.com/liAkS5j5wZ — Bar & Bench (@barandbench) January 18, 2018 × A bench of CJI and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said cinemas are an inseparable part of Right to Free Speech and Expression through the medium of celluloid and guaranteed under Article 19 of Constitution. The court said all states are constitutionally obliged to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident during the screening of the film across India, a permission granted by CBFC. SC posted the matter for further hearing on March 26th. Also see: Is Padmaavat releasing on January 24th? On Wednesday Bhansali and Viacom 18, producers of the film had moved SC to contest the ban. Padmaavat features Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead roles and is scheduled to release across the country on January 25th.

When Bandit Queen can be released, why not Padmaavat, says Supreme Court

Makers of epic film &quot;Padmaavat&quot; have now moved to Supreme Court against the film ban in four states of India namely Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.&nbsp;

As reported by PTI, the apex court has agreed to hear the plea of producers of the film.&nbsp;

Only Tuesday, the&nbsp;Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana banned the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s controversial film in the state

&quot;Padmaavat&quot;, which was earlier named as Padmavati, is scheduled to hit theatres on January 25 after it was cleared by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in December.

The board had asked for several modifications, including a change in the title.&nbsp;

This comes after state governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana banned the release of the film in their respective states

Makers of epic film "Padmaavat" have now moved to Supreme Court against the film ban in four states of India namely Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. As reported by PTI, the apex court has agreed to hear the plea of producers of the film. Only Tuesday, the Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana banned the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial film in the state "Padmaavat", which was earlier named as Padmavati, is scheduled to hit theatres on January 25 after it was cleared by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in December. The board had asked for several modifications, including a change in the title.

'Padmaavat' producers move Supreme Court against states banning release

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