Padmavati’s Sanjay Bhansali, Censor Board Chief Summoned By MPs’ Panel Today

New Delhi: Padmavati's Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Censor Board chief Prasoon Joshi have been summoned by a panel of MPs to clarify issues regarding the screening of Padmavati. Sources say that director Bhansali will explain some of the contentious issues arising out of the controversies surrounding the release of the film. It is worth recalling here that many states have objected to the screening of the film, while certain fringe groups have indulged in vandalism and have also issued open threats the director and its lead actress, Deepika Padukone.

According to sources, the panel led by BJP MP Anurag Thakur comprises among others Paresh Rawal the well-known actor and now a BJP MP, as also former actor Raj Babbar of the Congress. It is believed that officials from the I&B Ministry will be asked to explain some of the problems that the department has been encountering with respect to the release of the film.

Originally scheduled for release on December 1, the film's screening had to be put off owing to a major firestorm in many states on Bhansali's alleged "distortion of historical facts". Some groups belonging to the Rajput community in particular, took serious objections to what they claimed to be insensitive and offensive portrayal of their history. They claimed that Padmavati was a queen revered in Rajput history and was portrayed in a way which demeaned her greatness.