Padmaavat Overseas

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s visual spectacle Padmaavat, which has been dominating the worldwide box office with a stupendous run since its release on January 25 th, is poised to earn the top 2nd spot in the list of all time highest grossing Hindi films in North America.

As of this writing, the epic period drama, which is based on queen Padmini and glorifies the valour of Rajputs, has clocked $ 8M in North America and is inching towards becoming the all time second highest grossing Hindi film after Aamir Khan’s Dangal ( $ 12.3M)

Trade experts believe that Padmaavat will emphatically edge past Aamir Khan’s PK ( $ 10.5M) by the end of its full run to take the second spot among Hindi biggies. Despite marred with controversies, Padmaavat stormed the worldwide box office and collected more than 200 Crores share worldwide till now.

In a major boost to the film’s domestic collections, the Karni Sena, which has been demanding a ban, has decided to withdraw protests after finding no objectionable content in the film.

Padmaavat stars an ensemble cast in the form of Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh.

The screening of controversial film “Padmaavat” began in theatres across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh amid tight security on Thursday.

The film was released in about 300 theatres in both the Telugu states and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere till noon, officials said.

Policemen were posted at single-screen theatres and multiplexes in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad as tight security arrangements were made to foil any protest by Rajput groups.

Tight security was in place at Tivoli theatre in Secunderabad where a group of youth tore a “Padmaavat” poster and raised slogans against filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali two days ago.

The screening of “Padmaavat” in Hindi and Telugu began to full houses at dozens of theatres in Hyderabad.

With BJP legislator T. Raja Singh, who had earlier threatened to burn down the theatres screening the movie, softening his stand, the city’s police were not anticipating any trouble. However, as a precautionary measure, police personnel were deployed at theatres.

Raja Singh, a member of Telangana legislative assembly, had earlier called upon people to boycott the movie, saying an attempt is being made to denigrate Rajput community.

The MLA, who represents Goshamahal constituency in Hyderabad, had even announced that he will bail out youth if they are arrested for setting afire the theatres.

Singh, himself a Rajput, told the media on Thursday that leaders of various Hindu organizations who watched the movie found that Bhansali has deleted all scenes in which Rajput queen Padmavati was shown in poor light. He claimed that the filmmaker removed the objectionable scenes out of fear following strong protests.

The BJP leader, however, suggested that leaders of the Hindu organizations in the city watch the movie. “If you still find something objectionable, do whatever you want, we are with you,” he said.

The movie, featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, is based on 16th century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s poem “Padmavat”.

Scores of persons protesting against the impending release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat’ went on rampage here on Tuesday evening, burning vehicles and pelting stones even as cinema halls announced they would not screen it despite Supreme Court orders.

Police said around 200 protesters went around multiplexes on the upmarket SG Highway in Ahmedabad and burnt down more than a dozen two-wheelers and other vehicles as well as pelted cinemas with stones. However, there were no reports of injuries.

The incidents of arson coincided with the visit of Shri Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi, who is spearheading the protests against the movie across the country.

The violence caught police by surprise since owners of most cinemas in Gujarat, including multiplexes in Ahmedabad, had already declared they would not screen the controversial film.

Police said some vehicles were targetted outside Wide Angle multiplex, while more than seven two-wheelers were burnt or damaged at Acropolis Mall which houses the PVR Cinema screens, where some windowpanes and glass doors were also damaged.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner A.K. Singh said many miscreants had been arrested while adequate police force had been deployed outside all cinemas.

The trouble began after more than 1,500 persons, claiming to be Sena activists, gathered outside Dev Arc Mall that houses a movie theatre, in the evening to hold a candlelight march.

The group later went to the SG Highway, first reaching Acropolis Mall which has upmarket PVR cinema hall, and then other malls. Shouting slogans, the mob halted traffic on the busy road, followed by aron.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel exhorted people to boycott the movie, while also appealing to them to stay calm.

Similar appeals were issued by Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja and senior Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, both Rajputs.

“It appears that certain antisocial elements are trying to defame our community,” Chudasama said.

Karni Sena leader claimed they had nothing to do with the violence and urged the state to initiate action the culprits.

“I will resign if there is any link (of violence) established with our organisation,” Raj Shekhavat, President of Gujarat Rajput Karni Sena, told mediapersons.

The makers of “Padmaavat”, through front page advertisements in newspapers on Monday, listed disclaimers clarifying that it never had a dream sequence featuring Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmavati, and that it is a movie every Indian will be proud of.

The ad comes a day after the controversial movie’s producers — Bhansali Productions and Viacom18 Motion Pictures — officially announced that the film will hit the screens on January 25 with due modifications suggested by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

“‘Padmaavat’ is a film that every India will be proud of. Please visit your nearest theatre on January 25 to experience it yourself,” the makers have stated at the end of the ad, which has the movie’s poster, featuring lead actress Deepika Padukone, on the flipside.

The film was caught in a row over claims by Rajput groups backed by a section of the BJP that it distorts history. Shree Rajput Karni Sena, at the forefront of the protests, demanded a ban. Some states, including Rajasthan and Gujarat, have banned the movie.

Following are the points clarified by the makers of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial, which also features Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in pivotal roles:

* The film ‘Padmaavat’ is based on the epic ‘Padmavat’ by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi which is a revered work of fiction.

* The film does not have and never had a dream sequence between Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmavati.

* We have made this film as an ode to the famed valour, legacy and courage of Rajputs.

* The film portrays Rani Padmavati with utmost respect and does not tarnish her repute or misrepresent her character in any manner.

* The film has been cleared with only five modifications by the CBFC and is officially approved for release in India with a U/A certificate.

* There are no further cuts or modifications to the film.

* We are grateful to the government authorities, CBFC, film fraternity and our fans for their support.