Censor board clears Padmaavat for screening across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The censor board has cleared the controversial Bollywood film ‘Padmaavat’ without any cuts for screening across Pakistan.

Mobashir Hasan, chairman Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) chairman Mobashir Hasan announced on social media that the film has been passed by the board.

“Central Board of Film Censors #CBFC has declared a feature film containing Indian cast & crew #Padmaavat without any excision suitable for public exhibition in the cinemas with a ‘U’ certification,” he wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.

The film has been considered suitable for public screening in cinemas in Pakistan under the Motion Pictures Ordinance 1979. Hasan said the the censor board is unbiased against arts, creativity and healthy entertainment.

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The Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed film stars Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles. The film was also released in India on Thursday amidst several protests and controversies, and threats of violence from fringe groups.

The clearance removes fears that the film could face cuts due to the portrayal of Alauddin Khilji, the Muslim ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.

The movie was scheduled to be release in India on December 1, but was postponed and was not issued a certification form. The film was cleared by censor board in India earlier this year after several modifications including the title change from ‘Padmavati’ to ‘Padmaavat’.