Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmavati, renamed Padmaavat, faced a year of protests led by the Shri Rajput Karni Sena and other Rajput groups, who said it distorted history. Four BJP-ruled states moved to stop it, but on 18 January 2018 the Supreme Court stayed the bans. The film opened on 25 January 2018 amid arson in Ahmedabad, a stone attack on a school bus in Gurugram and dozens of arrests, while multiplexes in four states did not screen it.
Background: the film and the objection
Padmavati, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, told the story of the Chittor queen Padmini and the Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji. Bhansali said it was based on the 16th-century poem Padmavat by the Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi IANS via Business Standard.
Claim · Karni Sena The Karni Sena said the queen gave her life rather than submit to Alauddin, and objected to a reported romantic scene between the two characters The Quint. Bhansali's team said no such dream sequence or objectionable scene had been filmed The Quint.
How it started: the Jaipur set, January 2017
On 27 January 2017, Karni Sena activists stormed the film's set at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, damaged chairs and equipment and forced the shoot to stop, alleging that the director was "distorting facts" Tribune.
Someone from the mob slapped him and pulled his hair.
Narayan Singh, Karni Sena district president, Jaipur, 27 January 2017 (Tribune)
Police said five people were detained for disturbing the peace and that no FIR was lodged by anyone. Bhansali decided not to continue shooting in Rajasthan Tribune. In March 2017 the new set near Panhala Fort in Kolhapur was attacked and set on fire at night; police said no arrests had been made at the time Scroll.
Threats and bounties, November 2017
The first poster, released in October 2017, set a release date of 1 December and set off a second round of protests PTI via Madhyamam The Quint. On 16 November 2017, Outlook reported that a Karni Sena member had threatened to cut the lead actor's nose if the release was not stopped Outlook.
On 19 November, Suraj Pal Amu, the Haryana BJP's chief media coordinator, announced a Rs 10 crore reward for beheading the lead actor and the director. The BJP issued him a show-cause notice, and he resigned from his party post later that month Scroll. On 21 November he was booked for criminal intimidation under Section 506 of the IPC The Quint. The producers deferred the 1 December release, calling it a voluntary decision Deccan Herald.
How it turned political: the state bans
Government's position Several BJP chief ministers spoke against the film before it was certified:
- Madhya Pradesh: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on 20 November 2017: "We will not tolerate any distortion of historical facts," and that the film would not be shown if it breached the queen's honour PTI via Madhyamam. He said it would not be allowed even if the CBFC cleared it Deccan Herald.
- Rajasthan: Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje wrote to Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani asking that the film not be released without "necessary" changes PTI via Madhyamam. On 9 January 2018 the state said theatres would not screen it Scroll.
- Gujarat: Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on 12 January 2018 that his government would not allow the release Scroll.
- Haryana: On 16 January 2018 the state cabinet decided on a ban. Health Minister Anil Vij said it was "keeping in view the law and order situation in the state" Scroll.
Not every chief minister agreed. West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee called the controversy "a calculated plan of a political party to destroy the freedom to express ourselves" Deccan Herald. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said "Nobody will accept the distortion of history" Deccan Herald.
The censor board's changes
On 30 December 2017 the CBFC decided to certify the film U/A after five modifications, including changing the title to Padmavat. A special panel included Arvind Singh of Udaipur, historian Chandramani Singh and Professor K.K. Singh of Jaipur University IANS via Business Standard. The film was released as Padmaavat.
Mahendra Singh Mewar, a former MP from the Mewar royal family, called the certification "public deception" and said the changes were cosmetic. Bhansali maintained: "I have not distorted facts" IANS via Business Standard.
The Supreme Court stays the bans
Producers Viacom18 and Bhansali Productions challenged the bans. Their counsel, Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi, argued that states have no power to ban a film the CBFC has certified The Wire.
On 18 January 2018, a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud stayed the Gujarat and Rajasthan notifications and barred other states from issuing similar orders. Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court only those two states had issued formal orders The Wire.
We direct that there shall be a stay of operation on the notification and orders issued and we also restrain other states from issuing such notifications or orders in this matter.
Supreme Court interim order, 18 January 2018 (PTI via The Wire)
On 23 January the court rejected pleas by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to modify the order. "It is the obligation of the states to maintain law and order," the bench said Tribune. It also dismissed intervention applications, including one by the Karni Sena Legally India.
Timeline of the release week
Arson outside Ahmedabad malls
After a candle march on SG Highway, mobs set fire to at least 30 motorcycles outside the Acropolis, Himalaya and AlphaOne malls, police said PTI via Outlook. Police fired in the air to disperse the crowd The Quint.
Multiplexes pull out of four states
The Multiplex Association of India said its members would not screen the film in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa because "the law and order situation is not conducive" PTI via The Wire.
School bus attacked in Gurugram
Protesters threw stones at a GD Goenka World School bus carrying children on Sohna Road. No one was reported injured. A Haryana Roadways bus was set on fire and another damaged in Bhondsi by a group of about 50 men, and police on the Gurugram-Alwar highway were hit by stones IANS via Business Standard.
Chittor Fort closed
The fort was shut for a day after Karni Sena members tried to enter it Scroll. Police arrested the outfit's Chittorgarh unit chief after its spokesperson said over 1,900 women were "ready" to commit jauhar The Quint. Another member put the number of registered women at over 1,500 IANS via The Wire.
Protests in other states
Protesters blocked the Jaipur-Delhi highway and burned tyres, stopped a train at Bhuteshwar station in Mathura, and vandalised a cinema in Hapur. A car caught fire during a road blockade in Bhopal; police said it was under investigation whether it was set alight The Quint.
Release
The film opened on over 4,000 screens, barring some states IANS via The Quint. Members of the Karni Sena burned tyres, stopped buses and blocked roads in Rajasthan and Bihar Al Jazeera.
Arrests
- Gurugram: Haryana DGP B.S. Sandhu said 18 people were arrested over the school bus attack and the bus arson PTI via Onmanorama. By 27 January police said 38 had been sent to judicial custody: 24 arrested in eight criminal cases and 14 held under preventive sections. An SIT under DCP (South) Ashok Bakshi was set up Outlook IANS via Business Standard. The Tribune reported 47 arrests by 29 January Tribune.
- Karni Sena's Gurugram chief Thakur Kushalpal was detained for questioning on 27 January IANS via Business Standard.
- Suraj Pal Amu was sent to judicial custody on 26 January. Police called it a preventive arrest "to maintain law and order". He got bail and then resigned from the BJP's primary membership The Quint.
- Ahmedabad: Figures differ. ANI reported 48 in custody and four FIRs, per the police commissioner Scroll. The Wire reported six FIRs against 100 people The Wire.
- Mumbai: The Quint reported over 30 arrests. The Wire reported 100 Karni Sena workers held as a preventive measure The Quint The Wire.
False A viral message claimed five Muslim men had been arrested for the school bus attack. Gurugram Police Commissioner Sandeep Khirwar told Alt News that none of the circulated names matched the accused Alt News.
The contempt pleas
On 25 January the Supreme Court agreed to hear two contempt petitions. Tehseen Poonawalla sought action against the governments of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh for failing to contain the mobs. Lawyer Vineet Dhanda sought contempt proceedings against the Shree Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena and its office-bearers PTI via Tribune.
What has happened is a blatant violation of the January 18 order of the apex court which put the onus on the governments of respective states to maintain law and order.
Tehseen Poonawalla, petitioner, 25 January 2018 (LiveLaw)
The bench listed the pleas for 29 January LiveLaw. No report of a final order on either petition was found in the sources reviewed for this page.
Both accounts
Karni Sena's account
Claim · Karni Sena Patron Lokendra Singh Kalvi said the outfit would not let the film be screened and called for a "janta curfew" in cinemas. "It is sad that people's vehicles are being torched," he said, and claimed the VHP or Bajrang Dal could be responsible for the arson Scroll. He told The Quint "our people are not indulging in any kind of violent activities," and accused Bhansali of masterminding the bus attack The Quint. No evidence No evidence for that accusation was given in the reports reviewed. Both Karni Sena factions denied responsibility for the Ahmedabad arson PTI via Outlook. Villagers in Bhondsi alleged that "innocent juvenile and youths" were being framed IANS via Business Standard.
Police and government account
Government's position Haryana DGP Sandhu called the bus attack "unfortunate" and said police "reached in time" PTI via Onmanorama. Minister Anil Vij said theatres choosing to screen the film would get security after the court order The Wire. Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel said most theatre owners had "voluntarily" decided not to screen it Scroll. Gujarat minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said "there is no place for arson or violence," but added a crude depiction of history "will not be tolerated" The Wire. Union minister V.K. Singh said "Freedom of expression does not allow you to distort history" Al Jazeera.
Opposition leaders blamed the BJP. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called the bus attack a "matter of shame for entire nation" IANS via Business Standard. Congress president Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of "hatred politics" IANS via The Quint.
The withdrawal, and the split
On 2 February 2018, Yogendra Singh Katar, Mumbai leader of the Shree Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, said members had watched the film and found it glorified Rajput valour. He said the group would withdraw its protest and help release the film in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat Newslaundry.
Kalvi's Shree Rajput Karni Sena rejected this as "fake news" from a "fake Karni Sena". "We started the initial protests against the release of the film, which we still continue to do," he said, and claimed credit for the BJP's losses in the Rajasthan bypolls IANS via Onmanorama.
Outcome
- Certification: U/A with five modifications and a new title.
- State bans: Stayed by the Supreme Court on 18 January 2018. Pleas by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to modify the order were rejected on 23 January.
- Screenings: Multiplexes did not screen the film in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa at release.
- Deaths: None reported in the sources reviewed.
- Arrests: 18 to 47 in Gurugram, dozens more in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Suraj Pal Amu held, then bailed.
- Contempt pleas: Listed for 29 January 2018; outcome not found in sources reviewed.
- Agitation: One Karni Sena faction withdrew on 2 February 2018; Kalvi's faction said it would continue.
What happened since
Lokendra Singh Kalvi died at a Jaipur hospital on 14 March 2023 PTI via Tribune. Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, national president of the rival Shree Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, was shot dead in Jaipur in December 2023 (see our record of the killing and bandh). No trial outcome in the Gurugram bus case was found in the reporting reviewed.
Questions people ask
Why did the Karni Sena protest against Padmaavat?
It said the film distorted Rajput history and insulted Rani Padmini, objecting in particular to a reported romantic scene with Alauddin Khilji. Bhansali said no such scene was filmed and that the story came from Jayasi's 16th-century poem.
Which states banned Padmaavat?
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, all BJP-ruled, said they would not allow it. Only Gujarat and Rajasthan issued formal notifications, which the Supreme Court stayed on 18 January 2018.
Why was Padmavati renamed Padmaavat?
The CBFC asked for the title change as one of five modifications, to reflect that the film is based on the poem Padmavat and not on recorded history.
What happened to the school bus in Gurugram?
On 24 January 2018, protesters threw stones at a GD Goenka World School bus carrying children on Sohna Road. No one was reported injured. Police arrested 18 people the next day, and the count later rose.
Was the Bhansali bounty case pursued?
BJP leader Suraj Pal Amu was booked for criminal intimidation in November 2017, held in January 2018 and released on bail. He resigned from the party after the bail.
Did the Karni Sena call off the protests?
One faction's Mumbai unit announced a withdrawal on 2 February 2018 after members saw the film. Lokendra Singh Kalvi's faction called this fake and said its protest would continue.
Sources
- The Quint: As Padmaavat releases, protests gather speed across country, 25 Jan 2018
- IANS via Business Standard: Gurugram school bus attack a matter of shame, Kejriwal, 25 Jan 2018
- Tribune: Bhansali assaulted on sets of Padmavati; shooting stalled, 28 Jan 2017
- The Quint: Bollywood backs Bhansali after he is assaulted on Padmavati set, 28 Jan 2017
- Scroll: Kolhapur location of Padmavati set on fire, Mar 2017
- The Quint: Padmaavat, a timeline of troubles, 25 Jan 2018
- Outlook: Karni Sena member threatens Deepika Padukone, 16 Nov 2017
- Scroll: BJP leader quits party post days after bounty, 29 Nov 2017
- The Quint: After being given bail, Suraj Pal Amu resigns from BJP again, 31 Jan 2018
- PTI via Madhyamam: No screening of Padmavati in MP if it distorts history, Chouhan, 21 Nov 2017
- Deccan Herald: CMs differ on Padmavati, 20 Nov 2017
- Scroll: Haryana bans Padmaavat citing law and order, 16 Jan 2018
- IANS via Business Standard: Mewar royal flays CBFC over Padmavati, 31 Dec 2017
- The Wire: SC stays states' ban on Padmaavat, 18 Jan 2018
- IANS via Business Standard: SC stays ban on Padmaavat release, film industry euphoric, 18 Jan 2018
- Tribune: SC refuses to modify order; Padmaavat to release on Jan 25, 23 Jan 2018
- Legally India: SC holds firm against MP, Rajasthan, Karni Sena appeals, 23 Jan 2018
- PTI via Outlook: Protesters set bikes ablaze in Ahmedabad, 23 Jan 2018
- Scroll: Gujarat multiplex owners' outfit says no theatre will screen the film, 24 Jan 2018
- The Wire: Anti-Padmaavat protests, SC to hear contempt pleas, 25 Jan 2018
- IANS via The Quint: Padmaavat gets dramatic release amid tension, 25 Jan 2018
- Al Jazeera: Bollywood film Padmaavat released amid tight security, 25 Jan 2018
- The Quint: Padmaavat live, Bhansali behind school bus attack, says Kalvi, 25 Jan 2018
- PTI via Onmanorama: 18 arrested over Gurugram school bus attack, 25 Jan 2018
- Outlook: SIT formed to probe anti-Padmaavat violence in Gurugram, 27 Jan 2018
- IANS via Business Standard: Gurugram Karni Sena chief detained, SIT to probe bus attack, 27 Jan 2018
- Tribune: 47 arrested in Gurugram anti-Padmaavat violence, 29 Jan 2018
- Alt News: Viral names in Gurgaon school bus attack are false, Jan 2018
- PTI via Tribune: SC to hear contempt plea against 4 states, Karni Sena, 25 Jan 2018
- LiveLaw: SC agrees to hear contempt plea against 4 states, Karni Sena leaders, 25 Jan 2018
- Newslaundry: Karni Sena makes U-turn on Padmaavat, 3 Feb 2018
- IANS via Onmanorama: My Karni Sena not withdrawing protests, BJP will pay, Kalvi, 3 Feb 2018
- PTI via Tribune: Karni Sena founder Lokendra Singh Kalvi dies, 14 Mar 2023