The Full Page Padmaavat Ad Has Left The Internet Dejected For All The Right Reasons

Call it ‘Padmavati’, ‘Padmavat’ or ‘Padmaavat’, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie has been mired in controversies since day one. From vandalism to warnings, from death-threats to bounties, the film-maker and his entire crew including Deepika Padukone have been on the receiving end of flak because a certain community felt that their culture was being tarnished. Yes, before seeing the film.

But while we, the cine-buffs, thought that could it get any worse, time has proved us wrong. Again.

If you haven’t heard already the period film, after an onslaught of trials and tribulations, is finally slated for a release on 25th Jan. 

Get ready to witness the epic tale #Padmaavat on 25th January 2018, in theatres near you!Now also in 3D, Imax 3D, Tamil & Telugu! @filmPadmaavat @RanveerOfficial @shahidkapoor pic.twitter.com/K6vxrPYSK1

— Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) January 14, 2018

No, that’s not the cry.

The problem is the team got a full-page ad printed in today’s Bombay Times, with disclaimers that adjuncts to the entire episode. Read it here.  

#padmaavat newspaper ad puts out a whole series of disclaimers before its release @newsx pic.twitter.com/v2NAAgjdWX

— Latha Srinivasan Journalist (@latasrinivasan) January 15, 2018

* The film ‘Padmaavat’ is based on the epic ‘Padmavat’ by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi which is a revered work of fiction.

* The film does not have and never had a dream sequence between Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmavati.

* We have made this film as an ode to the famed valour, legacy and courage of Rajputs.

* The film portrays Rani Padmavati with utmost respect and does not tarnish her repute or misrepresent her character in any manner.

* The film has been cleared with only five modifications by the CBFC and is officially approved for release in India with a U/A certificate.

* There are no further cuts or modifications to the film.

* We are grateful to the government authorities, CBFC, film fraternity and our fans for their support.

Now, I don’t know about you but the advert quickly slips into a problematic narrative; from being informative to making an appeal so that there no more bones to pick. In fact, it is sad to see a work of art being defended to such extents, in a democracy because of an easily outraged mob.

And I’m not the only one.

The internet is filled with dejection, remorse and anger. See for yourself.  

1. SIGH.

Statutory warning on a cigarette pack, I understand. This, I don't. No place for art in my country.#Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/dazvLQ4ffu

— Nakuul Mehta (@NakuulMehta) January 15, 2018

2. ‘The joke is on us.’

The joke is on us. A reminder of our fragile ego and misplaced priorities as a nation. Glad this is a 1st page ad. #Padmaavat https://t.co/5YN0iKthTR

— Kritika Kamra (@Kritika_Kamra) January 15, 2018

3. Couldn’t agree more.

This is just sad. Sad sad sad!

— Ｍｉｓｔｅｒ　Ｃｈａｎｇ (@MeiyangChang) January 15, 2018

4. Only if…

Oh my god what is this country. pic.twitter.com/hJdUn5DE1g

— harnidh (@chiaseedpuddin) January 15, 2018

5. Can you argue that?

When you have to offer a full page ad as an explanation for a work of fiction based on a work of fiction. #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/GrYlLcGdis

— Nipun Bhatia (@neebooon) January 15, 2018

6. Oh, the irony.

our country can tolerate dhinchak pooja but not #padmavat . sad,very sad https://t.co/JfRJVTRotz

— Srinjoyee Ghosh (@_SrinJOYee_) January 15, 2018

7. Of the entire system!

Ultimate mocking of CBFC. https://t.co/IaRmce1XVx

— Pawan Kumar (@pawan_jetty) January 15, 2018

8. The end of artistic liberty.

We are not a great country… This way I think we will never be.. https://t.co/nJoWNU0KOF

— sourabh jain (@sourabh_kuki) January 15, 2018

9. WORD.

This is possibly how a democracy dies, not with a bang but a whimper. #Padmaavat https://t.co/ymjzcedaHJ

— Sayantan Ghosh (@sayantansunnyg) January 15, 2018

10. We live in such times…

When a filmmaker has to apologise and provide proof of creativity and authenticity at every given point. ? #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/48RVTKlllr

— Survi (@PavanSurvi) January 15, 2018

11. *slow claps*

Yessir. pic.twitter.com/7RGDQ5yKH0

— Aisi Taisi Democracy (@AisiTaisiDemo) January 15, 2018

12. Popular opinion of the day.

This worries me not only as a lawyer but also as a citizen of this Country. We want to be developed but how about being Mature. Do we realise that by restoring to vandalism & violent ways we restrict investments & tourism in our country & how about our nation’s image? #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/4ErsjeZucw

— Aditya Parolia (@A_Parolia) January 15, 2018

13. Seriously.

Oh for crying out out loud! A full page disclaimer to avoid further chaos. It's honestly sad to see what's happening with #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/YqsaEaWUjo

— Srinidhi G Krishnan (@srinidhi_gk) January 15, 2018

14. ‘Shame.’

https://twitter.com/sandhumerry/status/952791268958056448

15. Correct me if I’m wrong…

I can see a future where two hours of a movie's runtime will be filled with all sorts of disclaimers, and the rest half an hour will be whatever left of the movie after Censor Board's butchering. #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/WCaGGb5Im0

— Sreeju Sudhakaran (@sree_thru_me) January 15, 2018

While it’s good news that the movie is being released, it sad to see the circumstances that it is being subjected to. How can art survive like this? Something to ponder on…

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