As Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’ nears its now unknown release date, voices from the film and politics fraternity have already divided themselves into groups. Many believe that the film should never hit theaters, others say it is merely a piece of art.

Deepika Padukone essays Rani Padmini in ‘Padmavati’.media2.intoday.in
Last few days have been terrible for ‘Padmavati’, as CBFC rejected it citing technical reasons. The Rajput Karni Sena, in particular, is completely against not only the film but the actors too. The matter is becoming worse with each day; horrendous threats have been issued against Deepika Padukone who essays Rani Padmini in the film.
The movie was due for release on December 1, however, the date has now been extended to an indefinite period, after massive protests, which have been taking place in various parts of the country.
In the wake of the protests and threats, veteran actress Shabana Azmi took to Twitter and expressed her concern over the issue.

Shabana Azmi took to twitter and expressed her concern on the film.img01.ibnlive.in
Azmi wrote on Twitter, “Reprehensible. We demand action against those issuing these threats.CBFC is statutory body mandated to classify the film.”
Reprehensible.We demand action against those issuing these threats.CBFC is statutory body mandated to classify the film #Standwith Padmavati pic.twitter.com/wipmMSv16M
Advertisement— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 17, 2017
She then shifted her agenda towards CBFC and targetted how the government is doing this for electoral gains.
#Padmavatis application to CBFC has been sent back bcoz of incomplete formalities! Really? Or to keep fires stoked for electoral gains?
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Top Most Characters of Mahabharata— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 17, 2017
She further tweeted:
Sabki dukaan chal rahi hai under the patronage not of the fringe but of the Govt in power. Filmindustry must stand as 1 with #Padmavati
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 17, 2017
Smriti Irani is preparing IFFI dats possible only bcoz the Indian Film Industry brings such acclaim to it but keeps quiet about Padmavati!
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 18, 2017
Soon after this director Madhur Bhandarkar took to Twitter and expressed his concern taking a dig at Shabana Azmi:
@AzmiShabana ji I am equally concerned about threats to @deepikapadukone and SLB over #Padmavati however I feel sad about your biased approach. I would have appreciated similar support from you when I was being violently threatned by Congress workers over my film #InduSarkar
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) November 18, 2017
He also exclaimed that he didn’t get any support from Azmi when he was receiving threats at the time his film ‘Indu Sarkar’ was about to hit theatres.
A private screening of the film was recently held where a few renowned journalists were invited including Arnab Goswami and Rajat Sharma. This has also invited a lot of flak on social media and people have been calling this an irresponsible behavior on behalf of the film’s team.

Rajat Sharma and Arnab Goswami gave a green signal to ‘Padmavati’.siasat.com
In case, the film gets banned from release, art would suffer on a larger scale. Tell us through your comments what you feel about the same!