CBFC turns down plea to hasten Padmavati certification

The Central Board of Film Certification turns down an application by makers of Padmavati seeking to expedite the certification process of the movie. Turning down the plea of the Padmavati makers, CBFC said that the movie will be reviewed and certified as per set norms of following chronological order of all applications.

Yesterday, CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi slammed the makers of Padmavati for screening the movie for various TV channels without getting a censor certificate.

Joshi's statement comes after reports that the producers of Padmavati -- mired in controversy over allegations that it distorts history -- held a special screening for a few journalists.

A day after the CBFC sent Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film back because the application for the certification was "incomplete", Joshi said he was "disappointed" that it was being screened for the media and getting reviewed on national channels without CBFC having seen or certified it.

"This compromises the role of systems and balances that are part of a functioning industry. It's myopic to treat the certification process haphazardly to suit convenience," he said in the statement to PTI.