Cinema owners terrified, it’s curtains for Padmaavat in MP

BHOPAL: The film distributors’ body in MP — Central Cine Circuit Association — has decided not to release Padmaavat, rattled by threats and violence by MP

Rajput Samaj

that is spearheading the campaign to ban the movie in the state.
Also Read: Padmaavat Movie Review

CCCA president Jai Prakash Chaukse said: “We’d have liked to release the movie, but decided not to risk life and property. Screening it isn’t possible in the present circumstances. The state government has failed to assure us security and seems to be backing groups opposed to the release of the film.”

Azizuddin, secretary of Bhopal Cine Association and owner of Raj and Alpana Cineplex, said, “The protests have scared away distributors. Since there are no distributors for ‘Padmaavat’ in MP, it will not be released anywhere in the state.” Vanish, owner of Jyoti Cineplex, said: “It’s not only media reports about possible violence that concerns us. We have received a threatening letter from Karni Sena as well. I can’t put life and limb of my staff and viewers at risk,” said.

It didn’t help matters that state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan seemed to justify the campaign against Padmaavat, saying that it is not an issue of the Rajput community alone. “It is about sentiments of all Indians and respecting public feelings in a democratic set-up,” he said.

“Public protests against the controversial film erupted as sentiments were hurt by distortion of historical facts,” he said, adding: “Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan banned ‘Padmaavat’ because public sentiments were hurt. After the SC verdict, the government filed a review petition only because it’s a matter of honour and belief. In democracy, public sentiments are most important, hence the government pleaded the movie should be banned.”

Congress alleged that BJP is “playing a drama over Padmaavat”. “The MP government should have demanded that CBFC not clear the movie. The government could have written to the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene before the matter reached Supreme Court. Instead, the government played a drama,” said Congress state spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi.

MP BJP chief chose not to react to the Congress allegation, saying: “It is not a political issue. Public sentiment should be respected. The Congress is trying to politicise it.” The BJP leader wouldn’t spell out what the government plans to do next.