Padmavati row Lok Sabha asks CBFC and IBM to submit an official report

It seems that the controversies surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati are not going to end anytime soon. Even after the makers of Padmavati deferred the release of the historical drama following nation-wide protests, the voices against the magnum opus refuse to die down. The new release date hasn't been announced yet.

Now, in a recent development, the Lok Sabha has asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry to submit an official report on the film before November 30.

The reports will be made after seeing the film, thus determining that it doesn't hurt sentiments of the masses in any manner. The decision comes as a ray of hope for audiences who are eagerly waiting for the much-awaited for the film this year.

Padmavati has been banned in three states already. So even when it releases eventually, it won't release in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Punjab.

Recently, the Central Board of Film Certification had returned the film to the makers because the application didn't mention if Padmavati was a work of fiction or based on historical facts. The makers had then held a private screening of the film for some select journalists who consequently stood up for the fact that the film doesn't hurt any sentiments and in fact upholds Rajput pride.

CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi criticised the private screenings and had said, "Disappointing that the film Padmavati is being screened for the media and getting reviewed on national channels without CBFC having seen or certified the film. This compromises the role of systems and balances that are part of a functioning industry. It's myopic to treat the certification process haphazardly to suit convenience.

Padmavati has been mired in controversy over conjectures that it "distorts history" regarding the Rajput queen. Bhansali has repeatedly denied the charge.