In a much-anticipated move, makers of the film ‘Padmaavat’ have moved the Supreme Court challenging the ban on the screening of the film by some states [Viacom 18 Media Private Limited, Bhansali Productions Pvt. Ltd, Sanjay Bhansali v/s Union of India & Ors- W.P.(C) No. 000036 – / 2018]. The bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra has agreed to hear the petition tomorrow i.e. January 18, 2018.
Reportedly, the film’s producer, in the petition, contended that the film has undergone many changes – including that of the title – to meet the suggestions of the Censor Board. The producer has questioned the power of the state governments to impose a complete ban on the film when the SC in an earlier case clarified that screening of a film can only be suspended in a particular area because of the law and order situation in that area, it cannot be completely banned.
Please refer to my post on ‘Whether state governments can ban ‘Padmaavat’ under local cinema regulations prior to its release’
