The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday dismissed a fresh plea seeking to stall the release of the film ‘Padmavati’ outside India.
As per reports, the apex court noted that statements by persons holding high office is tantamount to pre-judging the movie as it turned down the plea against the film’s release.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud said: “We are governed by the rule of law.
“When the matter is pending before the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for grant of certificate, nobody holding a responsible position should comment as it would amount to violation of the principle of the rule of law.”
Even though, the British Board Of Film Classification (BBFC) has cleared ‘Padmavati’ for release in the UK on December 1, sources close to the filmmakers have said that there are no plans to release the film abroad.
Back home in India, the filmmakers have already deferred the release.
Starring Ranveer Singh (as Sultan Alauddin Khilji), Deepika Padukone (as Rani Padmavati, in the lead) and Shahid Kapoor (as Maharawal Ratan Singh), ‘Padmavati’ is being distributed internationally by Paramount Pictures.
The magnum opus sets out to tell the tale of Rani Padmavati – the legendary Mewar queen known as much for her beauty and intelligence as she was for her courage, her husband Maharawal Ratan Singh – a glorious Rajput ruler and a warrior king who fought till his last breath to defend his kingdom and his wife’s honour and Sultan Alauddin Khilji – an ambitious and obsessive invader.
In India, ‘Padmavati’ is in the eye of a storm following protests from conservative groups over alleged tampering with historical facts. Bhansali has been denying the contention.
The release of the film, which was earlier slated for December 1 in India, has been deferred as the filmmakers are yet to secure a censor certificate.