A still from the movie

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up chief ministers of the state that have declared a ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie ‘Padmavati’, stating that they cannot ban the film and added that they should not ‘prejudice the movie’.

Rejecting a plea filed by a lawyer against the release of the Deepika Padukone-starrer, the court further rapped the politicians who have issued violent threats against the cast and crew of the film in the past.

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The apex court stated that “those in responsible posts should be responsible with comments”, and should refrain from making statements on the issue as the "censor board was yet to decide on the film” and thus could get influenced by such remarks.

The plea was filed by lawyer Manohar Lal Sharma.

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As per ANI, SC observed, “When matter is pending for CBFC's consideration, how can persons holding public offices comment on whether CBFC should issue certificate or not? It'll prejudice decision making of CBFC”.

The Supreme Court also clarified that the movie cannot be released overseas without the approval from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

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Earlier this month, the top court had dismissed a similar plea filed against the release of the magnum opus, stating that the CBFC was yet to issue a certificate to it, ANI reported.

Interestingly, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has cleared the movie for a release in the United Kingdom on December 1, without a single cut. They defended their decision by saying that "freedom of choice must be respected" and that filmmakers are “free to explore narratives based on historical events” and to interpret them as they wish.

In India, on the other hand, several BJP-ruled states have already banned or opposed the release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

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Padmavati's release, which was scheduled for December 1 in India, has been deferred as well after the Censor Board refused to clear the film saying that its paperwork is incomplete.

The controversy over the movie had taken an ugly turn after members of the Rajput Karni Sena, a fringe outfit in Rajasthan, threatened to “cut off Padukone’s nose and behead Bhansali” if the film released.

The Karni Sena alleges that the film, based on the legend of Rani Padmini or Padmavati, the queen of Chittorgarh, compromises on the honour of the Rajput queen.

Padmavati stars Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Ranveer Singh as Allauddin Khilji and Shahid Kapoor as Raja Mahaveer Singh.