Just days before, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje, among others, called for a ban on the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' claiming that they had "distorted history". And former chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Pahlaj Nihalani has now pointed out that a film cannot be banned in any state without it receiving certification from the CBFC.
"A state can impose a ban only if it is deemed that the movie may disrupt law and order situation in the state, and only after film certification. A certificate is yet to be issued to 'Padmavati'," he said. He added, "Unless certificate is not issued, no state can make 'jumlas' like 'we'll cut it' or 'we'll not let it release'. Furthermore, the producer of the film can approach the court, if the scenes do get cut."
Prasoon Joshi, the current CBFC chairperson had earlier said that the board will arrive at a decision after a discussion of the movie but the former chairman downplayed this statement and said that a chairman cannot decide the fate of a movie. “The examination committee decides after watching the movie; the chairman cannot decide. Unless the censor board pronounces its decision, opinion of everyone else is of no value," he said.
