It’s mixed news for the beleaguered Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period film, Padmaavat. Yesterday news came in that the makers had approached the Supreme Court, after the governments in six states including Haryana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, stated their refusal to screen the film, citing law and order problems.

In an apparent victory for the film, which releases on January 24, the Supreme Court has given its nod for the film’s release in all states. Ruling that Padmaavat cannot be banned by states, the Supreme Court has removed the ban by at least four states that had refused to screen the film amidst fierce protests by Rajput groups.

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The apex court has said that the responsibility of ensuring peace lies on the states. Arguing on behalf of the producers of Padmaavat, Harish Salve said, “If states are banning a film, then it destroys the federal structure. States can't touch the content of a film. If anybody has a problem, they can approach the appellate tribunal.”

They referred to a past Supreme Court order that a film cannot be banned only on the basis of anticipation of a law and order problem. In the petition, the producers had argued that the Supreme Court had earlier clarified that a screening of a movie can be banned in a particular area only in relation to the law and order in that area. One cannot impose a complete ban.

On the ground, however, the violent protests continue. A few days ago, some members of Karni Sena allegedly attacked a school in Madhya Pradesh after the students performed to the ‘Ghoomar…’ song from Padmaavat during their Annual Day function. The incident had even left one student injured.

The Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhoopendra Singh addressed the issue saying, “MP government banned Padmaavat, people shouldn't even play songs of it. If someone plays a banned song, it must be reported to police and not take the matter into your own hands. Action to be taken against the culprit.”

The Rajput Karni Sena had recently repeated its demand for a "complete ban" on the film. “The film should be canned and thrown into the flames of Jauhar. We have heard that it is releasing on January 25 and if so happens we will take to streets and appeal our youths to hold public curfew at cinema halls,” said a representative.