Padmavati row | Salman Khan: Controversies around Deepika Padukone-starrer will affect movie business adversely

Superstar Salman Khan is no stranger to controversies and the actor believes rows such as around 'Padmavati' affect the movie business adversely.

The 52-year-old star on Thursday said a film suffers a lot in an unfriendly environment as people avoid theatres, fearing violence.

"I am not sure if there is any benefit (out of this) but it definitely leads to loss. There is a loss, a lot of loss, I have seen it for myself. People are scared to go to the theatres. Business goes down 100 percent," Salman was quoted while interacting with PTI.

"Even if the film is in news, no one goes to theatres out of fear. Theatre owners are also scared because they don't want violence and stone-pelting outside their theatres. People do panic," he added further.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directorial, which is happened to be one of the much-anticipated movies of the year, has been mired in controversy since inception.

From vandalisation of film sets to Rajput protests across the nation, the period drama has managed to be in the headlines for every single matter. It seems like debates and controversies have refused to die down over the release of the flick.

Also Read | Padmavati row: Deepika Padukone-starrer an insult to Indian women, says RSS affiliate

When PTI asked Salman if the director had a track record of hurting sentiments, the actor, never the one to give a straight answer to a question, quipped that Bhansali had offended him.

"I don't know about others but he definitely offended me. I gave him two hits 'Khamoshi' and 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and he took Shah Rukh in the next one (Devdas)," he joked.

On a more serious note, the actor said although one must respect people's sentiments, calling for a ban on a film without even watching it was unfair.

He said the only decision that would matter will come from either the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) or the Supreme Court.

"I don't think it is fair to hurt anyone's sentiments. It is also not fair to comment on a film without seeing it. The censor board will give its certificate and we will go by it."

"It (the film) has been talked about so much that it is no longer clear what is right or what is wrong. The censor board or the Supreme Court will take a decision and everyone should respect that."

Also Read | Padmavati row: SC dismisses plea to ban Deepika Padukone-starrer abroad

Incidentally, Bhansali and CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi met a parliamentary panel on IT on Thursday to discuss the problems and issues surrounding the film.

Also starring Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in key roles the release date of the movie has been deferred from December 1 and is yet to get a new release date with CBFC approval.

(With PTI inputs)