After months of protests by the Rajput community and other right- wing organisations against the alleged distortion of history involving Rani Padmini in Sanjay leela Bhansali’s film, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on Saturday announced its decision to accord UA certification to “Padmavati” with “some modifications” and change of the film title to “Padmavat” and insertion of a disclaimer.

Amid unconfirmed reports that it had ordered 26 cuts in the film, the CBFC clarified that the board has only advised five modifications, including the title change, but “no cuts”.

The decision to accord a UA certification to the film “along with some modifications and likely change of the film’s title to ‘Padmavat’ on the basis of the attributed material/ creative source” was taken at a meeting held on Thursday in the presence of CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi, CBFC officials and a special panel comprising Arvind Singh from Udaipur, Dr Chandramani Singh and Professor KK Singh of Jaipur University.

Among the key “modifications” suggested are the ones that “involve those of the disclaimers, pertinently adding one regarding not glorifying the practice of Sati and also relevant modifications in the song ‘Ghoomar’ to befit the character portrayed”.

“The certificate as per procedure will be issued once the required modifications are carried out and final material submitted,” the CBFC said in a statement here. “The film was approached with a balanced view keeping in mind both the filmmakers and society.

However, founder-patron of Rajput Karni Sena lokendra Singh Kalvi on Saturday said that it is “too early” to comment on censor board’s decision on the film. Considering the complexities and concerns around the film the requirement for a special panel was felt by the CBFC to add perspective to the final decision of the CBFC official committee,” a CBFC statement said.

The members of the (special) panel had insights and also some reservations regarding the claimed historical events and socio-cultural aspects which were duly discussed at length. The committee is appreciative of their time,” the CBSC statement said.

In a written communication to the CBFC, the filmmakers, BhansaIi Productions, had also requested that a panel of historians/academicians and members of the Rajput community view the film. The film's final 3D application was submitted on November 28.

On November 30, Sanjay Bhansali appeared before a Parliamentary Committee and deposed saying: “All the controversy over the film is based on rumours. I have not distorted facts. The film is based on a poem by Malik Muhammad Jayasi,” referring to the 16th century Indian sufi poet's epic poem “Padmavat”.

“Having a specialist panel at CBFC has been in practice in earlier circumstances as well. “Aarakshan'' a film for which an eminent panel representing a concerned group was created and for 'Jodhaa Akbar' wherein historical experts were called in,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the modification details and CBFCs decision regarding this film was shared with the producers and director Bhansali “who attended the feedback session post the screening and are in agreement with the modifications”.

“The series of events around this film have been unprecedented and CBFC has proceeded within the guidelines in a mindful and positive manner,” the statement added.

Padmavati, it may be recalled, had run into rough weather even during its making and in the run-up to the release of the film.

It may be recalled that on November 19, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the studio behind 'Padmavati', had announced its decision to defer the release of the film for an indefinite period, a day after Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje wrote to I&B Minister Smriti Irani requesting the latter not to allow the release of “Padmavati” without the director making the changes demanded by the aggrieved community and the CBFC sent back the movie “Padmavati” to the makers without certification on the ground that it did not contain a disclaimer specifying whether it was a work of fiction or a historical.

Though Viacom18 Motion Pictures had described its decision to defer the release date of the film from December 1 as “voluntary”, the fact remains that the makers of “Padmavati' were under tremendous pressure from various right-wing organisations, particularly the Shri Rajput Karni Sena (SRKS) that is spearheading the nationwide protests against the film.

The protests against the film have assumed an ugly dimension at one stage in the second week of November, especially after the leaders of protesting organisations scaling up the bounty on the heads of actor Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sanjay leela Bhansali to Rs 10 crore and threatening to “break the legs” of Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of Alauddin Khilji who was “obsessed” about the legendary 13th Century Queen of Chittor. SRKS chief Mahipal Singh Makrana has even threatened to maim Deepika Padukone who plays the lead role in “Padmavati”, if she “continues to provoke the protesters”.

Around that time, the Yogi Adityanath-led UP Government had gone to town saying that anticipated law and order disruption upon the film's release, while the ruling BJP in Gujarat, had asked the Election Commission to defer the release of the film till the State Assembly elections scheduled to be held next month.

Among other things, the Viacom18 spokesperson said in a statement then: “Along with Sanjay leela Bhansali, amongst the most gifted film makers of his generation, Viacom18 Motion Pictures has created a beautiful cinematic masterpiece in 'Padmavati' that captures Rajput valor, dignity and tradition in all its glory. The film is an eloquent portrayal of a tale that will fill every Indian with pride and showcase our country's story-telling prowess across the globe”.