Makers did not specify if Padmavati was based on fiction or historical facts: Indian censor board

Last few weeks in the Bollywood world have been nothing short of happening with a section of the Indian populace issuing violent threats surrounding the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati.

Thought its trailer had Deepika fans swooning over, the Rajput Karni Sena was less than pleased. Members from the Indian Rajput clan objected on the film's content, claiming it misrepresented their revered leader Rani Padmavati.

The film's release though now postponed due to the violent threats, the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) also hadn't cleared it in one go, the Indian media reported.

While talking to Hindustan Times, Indian censor board's Anurag Srivastav said Padmavati makers had submitted an "incomplete" application.

He said: "The disclaimer had not been mentioned by the makers. We need an official thing from the makers about what your stand on this actually is. Is it based on fiction, or based on historical facts – you have to put it completely. By leaving that out, the document was (considered) incomplete, because for examination purposes, we need to know what they (makers) are saying."

The censor board received the film's submission for a review only a few days prior to its release date instead of the stipulated 68 days, and though the CBFC has been flexible with this rule, Anurag says the late submission added to Padmavati's timely clearance.

"We have this leeway of 68 days, because many times people come and say ‘I have to release my film tomorrow or day after’ when they have applied today! We have a huge number of applications, and there’s a huge backlog, especially in Mumbai," he said.

"We have to then tell these makers that we cannot do it out of turn, because then, others will get affected," he added.

Padmavati stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles and its new release is yet to be announced.