Padmavati row: Shabana Azmi questions CBFC for sending film back to makers, wants film industry to boycott IFFI

Hours after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has sent Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming period drama 'Padmavati' back to the makers, veteran actor and social activist Shabana Azmi on Friday raised questions over the same.

The 67-year-old actress on Friday took to micro-blogging site Twitter and wrote, "#Padmavatis application to CBFC has been sent back bcoz of incomplete formalities! Really? Or to keep fires stoked for electoral gains?"

#Padmavatis application to CBFC has been sent back bcoz of incomplete formalities! Really? Or to keep fires stoked for electoral gains?

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 17, 2017

The Indian actress has later expressed his wish that the entire film industry should boycott the International Film Festival of India to mark its protest against threats to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and lead actress Deepika Padukone.

Calling the situation 'cultural annihilation', Azmi criticised Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani for her silence on the issue.

"Smriti Irani is preparing IFFI date possible only bcoz the Indian Film Industry brings such acclaim to it but keeps quiet about Padmavati!

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

"This is exactly like HKL Bhagat and Congress celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi in 1989. Cultural Annihilation," she tweeted further.

Also Read: Special security to Deepika Padukone after nose chop threat 

This is exactly like HKL Bhagat and Congress celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi in 1989.Cultural Annihilation

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 18, 2017

The actor, who put out a series of tweets on the issue, added that the film industry should come together to support the movie.

"The entire film industry should boycott IFFI in protest against the threats to @deepikapadukone SLB and #Padmavati," she said in another tweet.

The entire film industry should boycott IFFI in protest against the threats to @deepikapadukone SLB and #Padmavati https://t.co/VckVB5yRJp

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 18, 2017

A leader of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena cited Ramayana's Surpanakha nose-chopping incident and warned Deepika against 'inciting' sentiments.

Following this, the Mumbai Police tightened Deepika's security. Police have also beefed up security at Bhansali's residence in Versova.

The 48th edition of IFFI is slated to take place in Goa from November 20-28.

Also Read | Padmavati: Rajput Karni Sena holds protest against flick in Bengaluru

Earlier, on Friday the Central Board of Film Certification had sent 'Padmavati' back to its makers citing some technical issues. According to CBFC members, the application for the certification was incomplete. The movie, which has been facing protest from several Rajput groups, will be reviewed as per the set norms once it is sent back to the board after sorting out the issue.

"The film was submitted for certification last week. We examined the documents, as we normally do. It was conveyed to the makers that their application was incomplete. They had to rectify and send it back, we will view it when it comes back to us," a source from the CBFC said. 

"When they (makers) rectify the deficiency we will again scrutinise it once more and when the turn comes we will examine it (film for certification)," the source added.

The source, however, refused to divulge details about the "deficiency in the application" on account of which it was returned to the makers for rectification.

Also Read | Padmavati: Rajput Karni Sena holds protest against flick in Bengaluru

Starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor, the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directorial is scheduled to release on December 1 and further expected to be delayed due to these ongoing tussles.