'Padmavati' release postponed, BJP leader announces head money for Padukone and Bhansali

A senior official from India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced INR100 million in head money for film-maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone over their film Padmavati.

Suraj Pal Amu also threatened Ranveer Singh, who plays the villain in the historical drama, that he will break his legs for working in it. "If you (Ranveer Singh) do not take back your words, we will break your legs,” he said, along with other threats and slurs.

Amu also expressed his support for those who had announced head money earlier, saying he will reward them. "I want to congratulate the Meerut youth for announcing INR5 crore bounty for beheading Deepika, and Bhansali. We will reward the ones beheading them, with INR10 crore and also take care of their family's needs," Scroll.in quoted him as saying.



Padmavati has been making headlines throughout the year. Many Rajput groups claim it has objectionable scenes of Queen Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji. On account of these charges, the film's release has been "voluntarily" deferred from December 1, a spokesperson for Viacom18 Motion Pictures said on Sunday.

PHOTO: NDTV

"Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind Padmavati, has voluntarily deferred the release date of the film from December 1, 2017," the company spokesperson said in a statement.

Some Hindu groups have been protesting against the movie's release, while other political outfits have demanded that its release be deferred in view of the Gujarat Assembly elections.

The makers have also not got a clearance yet from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which said the application from the makers was "incomplete."

A new release date will be announced once the "requisite clearances" are in place. "We are a responsible, law-abiding corporate citizens and have the highest respect and regard for the law of the land and all our institutions and statutory bodies including the CBFC."

PHOTO: FILE

"We always have and are committed to continue following the established procedure and convention. We have faith that we will soon obtain the requisite clearances to release the film. We will announce the revised release date of the film in due course," the statement added.



On Saturday, Indian CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi had expressed disappointment over the film being screened for some journalists, who said there was nothing in it to hurt anyone's sentiments.

The makers have described Padmavati as "a beautiful cinematic masterpiece that captures Rajput valour, dignity and tradition in all its glory."

PHOTO: MASALA

The spokesperson added, "The film is an eloquent portrayal of a tale that will fill every Indian with pride and showcase our country's storytelling prowess across the globe."

Padmavati features Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles.



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