Padmavati row: Ensure film is not released without required changes, Vasundhara Raje writes to Smriti Irani

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Saturday wrote to I&B Minister Smriti Irani requesting her that Padmavati be not released until some changes are made to it so that it 'does not hurt the sentiments of any community'.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister and BJP leader Thawar Chand Gehlot issued a statement that the Central Board of Film Certificate (CBFC) should cut "objectionable" scenes in the Bollywood film "Padmavati" whose release is being opposed by certain Rajput groups.

The BJP leader said "anger is palpable" in the country against the period drama directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"Anger is palpable in the country over this movie (Padmavati). History is distorted to enact filmy scenes which should be taken seriously by the censor board," he said.

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On Friday, the Shri Rajput Karni Sena threatened that it will intensify its protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' if the film was not banned.

Karni Sena president Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi said Rani Padmavati's depiction in the film was "totally distorted" and the Rajput community will not accept her "wrong" portrayal.

"It is an insult to the culture of the community and the queen's legacy," he said.

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