No ban on SLB’s Padmaavat in Himachal: CM

No ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat in Himachal says Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday. This comes days after some media organisations claimed that the movie will be banned in the state. claimed that the movie will be banned in the state.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday said his government will not ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film ‘Padmavat’ in Himachal Pradesh.

“There is no ban on the movie. Neither I nor any of my colleague have opined to ban this film,” Thakur said.

This comes days after some media organisations claimed that the movie will be banned in the state.

Recently, the chief minister had said that he respects art but one should avoid hurting anyone’s sentiments. “I don’t want to say anything else on the matter. We will think what we can do. The film is indeed controversial. I respect art but when it comes to people’s sentiments being hurt, it must be thought about and discussed,” he had earlier said.

However, on Saturday, Thakur clarified that his government has no plans to ban the film.

The film has been mired in controversy over conjectures that it “distorts history” regarding Rajput queen Padmini, a charge that Bhansali has repeatedly denied.

Starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles, the film is based on a 16th-century poem written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. It has been at the centre of controversies for past one year, ever since Bhansali began shooting in January last year in Jaipur.