Padmavati release has been postponed after Rajput protests

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama Padmavati was scheduled to release on December 1, but the film has been postponed.

Filmmakers of Padmavati have pushed the release date following protests from various Rajput groups and threats to the film's lead cast Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and director Bhansali.

Also read: Will burn down cinema halls if Padmavati distorts history, 'dishonours' queen: Rajput clan

"We will announce the revised release date of the film in due course," the studio behind the film said.

This announcement came after the Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister said that the film will only be allowed to screen in the Indian state "if objectionable parts are removed," and also wrote to the Union information and broadcasting ministry that the release of the film may lead to "law and order problems" in the state.

Members of Rajput clan Jai Rajputana Sangh told cinema halls and multiplexes in Jaipur that "any distortion of history" for the purpose of the film won't be tolerated.

Due to these reservations, Bhansali had earlier clarified that the film does not contain any scenes which will "tarnish" the image of Rani Padmini. "I have clarified it before, in written and now through this video that there are no scenes in the film that will hurt anyone's sentiments."

However, this seems to have had no impact on the protesters as a few days earlier, Deepika, who is playing the role of Rajput queen Rani Padmini, received a threat from the Rajput Karni Sena who have claimed to chop off the actress' nose. In another case, a BJP office bearer has put an INR 10 crore bounty on Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and threatened to "break the legs" of Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of Alauddin Khilji.

Also read: As a woman, as an artist, I feel hurt and angry: Deepika on Padmavati controversy

In all this debate and fury, Bollywood has taken a stand and it's on the director's side.

Shabana Azmi said on the matter: The entire film industry, in one voice, must boycott IFFI Goa in protest against the threats issued to Deepika Padukone, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Padmavati.... I am very angry. The film industry needs to take a strong unified action and refuse to be sitting ducks any more.

Her husband, Javed Akhtar echoed the same sentiments, and said, "... the people who say they will eradicate terrorism, can't ensure that a film is released."

"For discussion's sake, even if one was to accept that somebody's feelings have been hurt, that she was indeed a historical figure, and so on, what are we doing about it? Are you going to cut somebody’s nose or chop off somebody's head? Is that how a civilised country will work?"