Creative freedom held at ransom on Padmavat’s release, but Jaisi’ village rejoices as film releases today

Despite India’s Supreme Court giving the nod to the release of the controversial film Padmaavat, India was seen facing the ire of Rajput protestors since Wednesday who stoned a school bus, tore up posters of the film and are indulging in arson across most of North India.
Ironically the Pakistan Censor Board has given the nod to the film being released there without a single cut!
Ultra right Hindu outfit, the Karni Sena and notable Rajput royals have objected to the Rajput queen, Padmavati, being shown dancing to a song and an alleged dream sequence featuring her and Allauddin Khilji. The Supreme Court however allowed the film’s release after it was passed by the Film and Censor Board of India. Later four states being ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party also submitted a petition before the Supreme Court to allow their ban of the film citing a possible law and order issue resulting in its release. The Court however quashed the same, allowing the film’s release as planned over the Indian Republic Day weekend. However in wake of the violence, many cinema halls, especially multiplexes have cancelled the film’s screening.

Rajput royals across Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and others, have gone into a huddle after the arson and violence, deliberating on how they can protect “their heritage and culture from distortion” according to TIOs highly placed sources in the Rajasthan royalty.

Meanwhile far away from the turmoil, villagers in Jais in Uttar Pradesh, 80 kilometres from its state capital Lucknow, are happy the famous son of their soil has earned his due at last. The 15th century Sufi poet Malik Mohammad Jaisi, who wrote the Padmaavat on which the film is based, hailed from here. Devoid of any film hall, many from Jais had arrived in Lucknow on Thursday night with families to watch thw first day first show of the film.
Jaisis, as they call themselves, have been demanding a share of the film’s profits which will be used to beautify the late poet’s home in the village. However that plan will now have to wait. An imposing gate called the Malik Mohammad Jaisi Dwaar (gate) remains the lone marker to the 15th century poet’s hoary legacy.

Note: The author of this article also hails from the village of Jais.