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Controversial Indian film Padmaavat gets release date

January 15, 2018
A still of actress Deepika Padukone from Padmaavat.
A still of actress Deepika Padukone from Padmaavat.

MUMBAI — A Bollywood epic about a legendary Hindu queen will finally be released next week despite months of violent protests, Indian filmmakers have confirmed.

"Padmaavat" was initially due to hit screens in December. But producers Viacom18 Motion Pictures delayed the release following protests sparked by speculation that it would depict a romantic liaison between the queen and the 13th and 14th century Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji.

Politicians had threatened to ban the film for distorting historical facts, even though historians say the queen, Padmavati, is a mythical character. It will hit screens on Jan. 25 after censors cleared it for release subject to five changes, the producers announced late Sunday.

Full-page advertisements appeared in Indian newspapers Monday saying the film portrayed the legendary queen "with utmost respect". Film-makers say the movie is based on a work of fiction by a 16th-century Sufi poet, the epic entitled "Padmaavat".

The movie's title has been changed from "Padmavati" to "Padmaavat", possibly to reflect the fact it is based on the work. The film first ran into opposition in January 2017 when protesters attacked director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and vandalized the set during filming in Rajasthan.

Protesters attacked another set near Mumbai in March, burning costumes and other props. They stepped up demonstrations in November last year, including making a death threat against the lead actress Deepika Padukone and against the director Bhansali. — AFP


January 15, 2018
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