Padmavati: Despite protests and setbacks, Deepika-starrer directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali to release as per schedule

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming project Padmavati starring Deepika Padukone has run into controversy several times over the last few months, owing to objections raised over its plot and subject matter. Despite the set being burnt down and the director being assaulted on another occasion, the film will still release on 17 November, 2017, as per schedule.

One of the producers, Viacom 18 , has rejected claims that the film’s release would be pushed to 2018, due to damaged caused to the sets. “Padmavati is not postponed. Not shifting to 2018 either. It will release on November 17, 2017,” Viacom 18 Motion Pictures said.

In January , the sets of the film constructed in the Jaigarh fort of Jaipur were vandalised by the Karni Sena. Protesters ran amok and destroyed cameras, as well as slapped and assaulted Bhansali.

The set of Padmavati in Maharashtra’s Panhala fort in Kolhapur was vandalised by 50-60 unidentified men on the night of 14 March. Roughly 20 security guards were involved in a physical fight with these men, who destroyed 70-80% of costumes and jewelry. None of the cast or crew members were hurt.

The film stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles. It tells the story of Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khilji and his love interest, the Rajput queen Padmavati. The Karni Sena objected to the alleged portrayal of an intimate scene between Khilji and Padmavati.