From Padmaavat to My Name is Khan Top 7 Bollywood movies which courted controversies before their release

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama 'Padmaavat' has been mired in controversy since inception. Based on the 16th-century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s epic poem 'Padmavat', the movie faced resistance due to misinformation campaigns and rumour-mongering. Protests against the film intensified with members of several fringe outfits taking out rallies, blocking roads and damaging vehicles across the country. However, this is not the first Bollywood flick which met extreme challenges to release worldwide. Several big-budget dramas in the industry witnessed massive protests and dared to hit the screens across India. While 'Padmaavat' is all geared up to release on January 25 amidst high security in theatres, here we bring you top seven Bollywood movies that courted controversies before their release.

From 'Padmaavat' to 'My Name is Khan'; Top 7 Bollywood movies which courted controversies before their release

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama 'Padmaavat' has been mired in controversy since inception. Based on the 16th-century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s epic poem 'Padmavat', the movie faced resistance due to misinformation campaigns and rumour-mongering. Protests against the film intensified with members of several fringe outfits taking out rallies, blocking roads and damaging vehicles across the country. However, this is not the first Bollywood flick which met extreme challenges to release worldwide. Several big-budget dramas in the industry witnessed massive protests and dared to hit the cinema halls across India. While 'Padmaavat' is all geared up to release on January 25 amidst high security in theaters, here we bring you top seven Bollywood movies that courted controversies before their release.

From 'Padmaavat' to 'My Name is Khan'; Top 7 Bollywood movies which courted controversies before their release

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Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone starrer 2015 blockbuster 'Bajirao Mastani' saw protests in several parts of Maharashtra. People accused filmmakers of distorting historical facts about the era of Peshwa rulers. They left no stone unturned to impose a ban on Bhansali directorial. Priyanka Chopra who played the role of Kashibai had created a lot of buzz. However, helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the epic drama finally hit the screens on December 18, 2015.

From 'Padmaavat' to 'My Name is Khan'; Top 7 Bollywood movies which courted controversies before their release

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Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's 2008 film too was banned initially in several states like UP, Haryana and Rajasthan. After meeting extremely opposite responses from across the country, the movie finally managed to release worldwide. The Ashutosh Gowarikar directorial was also criticised for maligning the image of historical figures like Akbar and Jodha.

From 'Padmaavat' to 'My Name is Khan'; Top 7 Bollywood movies which courted controversies before their release

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Karan Johar's 2010 Indian drama film got into trouble after its leading hero Shah Rukh Khan urged to allow Pakistani cricketers to play in Indian cricket leagues. Shah Rukh Khan's remark sparked several debates in the industry and Shiv Sena sought a ban on the movie all over Maharashtra. Also starring Kajol in key role, the movie released nationwide in February 2010.

From 'Padmaavat' to 'My Name is Khan'; Top 7 Bollywood movies which courted controversies before their release

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The 2016 Indian black comedy film gave birth to several controversies even before its release. The Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt-starrer faced troubles in the state of Punjab as it showcases the problem of drug addiction through out the state. Also starring Kareena Kapoor and Diljit Dosanjh in key roles, the critically acclaimed film finally managed to hit the screens on June 17, 2016.

From 'Padmaavat' to 'My Name is Khan'; Top 7 Bollywood movies which courted controversies before their release

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Before 'Padmaavat' and 'Bajirao Mastani', 'Ramleela', the first join venture of Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali saw protests in parts of Indore, Rajkot, Jalandhar and New Delhi. People were mainly concerned about the portrayal of Kshatriyas in the film. Also starring Supriya Pathak Kapoor in key role, the movie released on November 15, 2013.

From 'Padmaavat' to 'My Name is Khan'; Top 7 Bollywood movies which courted controversies before their release

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Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma-starrer 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' was seen hitting headlines over Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s presence in the film. Several political groups across the country sought a ban on Fawad and the film due to India's freshly strained relations with Pakistan over the Uri attacks. However, the movie finally released on October 28, 2016. The romantic drama also features Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and bagged four awards for its soundtrack at the 62nd Filmfare Awards.

From 'Padmaavat' to 'My Name is Khan'; Top 7 Bollywood movies which courted controversies before their release

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial 'Padmaavat' finally hit the cinema halls on Thursday amid strong protests against the film by fringe groups. A rumoured dream sequence between Padmini and Khilji has sparked several debates ever since the movie began shooting in Rajasthan. Following these massive protests, four states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, banned the film from release even after it received a U/A certificate from the CBFC. The filmmakers further moved to the Supreme Court against the states' decision, which ruled that the ban on the film was illegal and it was the states' responsibility to maintain law and order upon the film's release.