Parrikar gives green signal to Padmavat release in Goa (Lead)

Panaji Jan 10 (IANS) If Padmavat has been given a censor certificate by the CBFC then the Goa government does not have a problem in screening it in cinema halls Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Wednesday.

"If they have a censor certificate we do not have objection. If there is a law and order issue we will look at it then " Parrikar told reporters.

"As of now we have not got any intimation about the film being released. If there is a censor certificate we are not stopping it from release...

"If they come with a censor certificate with some modification I do not see big reason why we should interfere into it " Parrikar added.

Parrikar also said that the state police had expressed apprehensions about the film being screened in Goa during the peak tourism season in December when a significant chunk of the uniformed personnel are busy discharging law and order duties.

He added that since the peak season was over the apprehension was irrelevant.

"Police report was for peak season. Peak season is over so there is no problem " Parrikar said.

Increased tourist traffic volumes in December often results in chaos especially from a law and order point of view.

The women s wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party had objected to the screening of the film in Goa citing law and order problems and wrong portrayal of queen Padmavati in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.

After much controversy and delay the Central Board of Film Certification finally certified Padmavat clearing the path for its release in cinema halls scheduled for January 25 however an official confirmation by the makers is awaited.

--IANS
maya/in/rb/vm