All clear for Padmaavat

 New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday paved the way for the nationwide release of Bollywood movie 'Padmaavat' on January 25 by lifting the ban on the screening of the controversial film in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The apex court also restrained other states from issuing any such notification or order banning the screening of the film, based on the saga of historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi. 

The decks were cleared for the release of the film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, as the apex court stayed the orders and notifications issued by Rajasthan and Gujarat governments prohibiting its screening.

Haryana and Madhya Pradesh governments had not issued any formal order but had stated that they would not allow the exhibition of the film. 

Creative content, including theatre and cinema, are "inseparable aspects" of the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra observed and said that states were under constitutional obligation to maintain law and order.

"We direct that there shall be a stay of operation on the notification and orders issued (by Rajasthan and Gujarat) and we also restrain other states from issuing such notifications or orders in this matter," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said in its interim order.  

During the hearing, the CJI also observed, "the whole problem is when the exhibition of a film is stopped like this, my constitutional conscience shocks me" "There were so many films earlier, but nobody really bothered. 'Bandit Queen' had passed the test of the Supreme Court," the CJI said.  The top court passed the interim order on the petition by Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd and other producers of the movie challenging bar on screening of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali- directed movie by Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. 

During the hearing today, the bench was informed that of these four states, only Gujarat and Haryana had issued formal notification and order prohibiting the screening.  Senior advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi, who were appearing for the petitioners, said the states had no power to issue such notifications banning exhibition of a film when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has already given a certificate for its release. While Salve termed it as "lawlessness", Rohatgi said that states cannot act like "super censor board" and issue such notifications or orders. 

Film fraternity elated
Film fraternity members Shyam Benegal, Manish Mundra, Madhur Bhandarkar and Ashoke Pandit were among those who lauded the Supreme Court decision. Benegal said that it's "quite clearly a victory of freedom of expression" while filmmaker Pandit said: "It's a very big success for the film industry." "This judgement has broken the arrogance of the political parties who banned the film thinking they can do it," Pandit said.

Producer Mundra tweeted: "Banning the film 'Padmaavat' even after CBFC certification was a cowardly act by the states. Were trying to do vote bank politics and or shying away from their responsibilities of managing law and order."

Trade expert Komal Nahta said the judgement was "a tight slap on the faces of the states which banned the film". "Red letter day ... the film industry and lovers of cinema all over." Actor Ayushmann Khurrana hailed it as the "best news of the day which restores faith in our democracy". Filmmaker Bhandarkar welcomed the decision for the movie, which features Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor. Author Chetan Bhagat said it's a "great decision" as "every story can't be told how bullies want it". Filmmaker Rohit Shetty hoped the movie gets a "great release".