NEW DELHI (TIP): The Supreme Court, on January 18, paved the way for the nationwide release of ‘Padmaavat’on January 25, as it stayed orders issued by the Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat governments banning the screening of Deepika Padukone-starrer film.

Noting that maintenance of law and order was the duty of state governments, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra asked states to provide the security needed for the film’s peaceful screening.

The Supreme Court also restrained other states from similar ban notifications. It sought to emphasize that theatre and cinema were a part of right to freedom of speech and expression. “Let it be released… a movie might not be so successful at the box office and people might not go to watch it, but its exhibition cannot be prohibited like this,” it said.

Based on the saga of the historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi, the film has been opposed by Rajputs for alleged character assassination of Padmavati.

On behalf of producers Viacom 18, Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi contended that once the Central Board of Film Certification had cleared a movie, states could not interfere with it. CBFC was “extra cautious” and it issued a certificate after a few cuts suggested by an expert committee were carried out, they said. They cited the top court’s 2011 ruling in the case of Prakash Jha’s film ‘Aarakshan’, which was banned by some states for a certain period.

“Once the parliamentary legislation confers the responsibility and power on a statutory board and the board grants certificate, non-exhibition of it by states will be contrary to statutory provisions,” the court said.

On behalf of the BJP-ruled states, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said there were intelligence reports regarding law and order problem. “If you go by this, 60 per cent of literature, even classical literature of India, cannot be read,” the CJI said.

The Bench fixed March 26 for further hearing.

Meanwhile, while there is excitement among moviegoers for watching the much-awaited movie, there is also tension in the air with regard to some taking to streets and try blocking the movie’s screening. The BJP ruled states of Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat may have to deal with law and order problem which they seem to have invited themselves. Politicians opposed to BJP are hinting at State sponsored demonstrations and disturbances in these states to block the screening of the movie. Only January 25 will tell what happens.