Padmaavat banned in four Indian states

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's hit roadblock after roadblock for the release of Padmavati-turned-Padmaavat, and it seems like his troubles are not over.

Despite his decision to give in to the Indian censor board CBFC's demands to rename the film and delete some scenes, the film is still being banned in four states of India, all of which are ruled by the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party.

Haryana is the latest state to have declared the ban on Padmaavat, reports Aaj Tak.

“In this meeting [of the Cabinet], I said it should be banned in Haryana, keeping in view the law and order situation in the state,” Health Minister Anil Vij said. “Cabinet supported this and we decided it will be banned in Haryana.”

Other states banning the film include Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, whose respective Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on January 12 that their governments would not allow its release. Rajasthan had declared even earlier on January 9 that its cinemas will not be permitted to screen the film.

According to Times of India, Padmaavat producers moved the Supreme Court to convince the four states to withdraw the ban and questioned the right of these four state governments to ban the film outright when the apex court has already clarified that the film's screening can only be suspended in a particular area if there is law and order situation developing.

Padmavaat's official release date is January 25.