'Padmaavat' to release on January 25

The stars of controversial Bollywood film “Padmaavat” have confirmed its release date: January 25. In tweets shared by Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor with their character posters featuring a changed title, the actors finally put the rumours behind the release date to an end.

The film, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was earlier titled “Padmavati” and drew the ire of organisations like Karni Sena the Kshatriya Mahasabha. It still banned from releasing in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

“Based on 16th century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's epic poem Padmavat, the movie faced resistance from its early stages due to a misinformation campaign and rumour-mongering. Despite these challenges, the film that showcases the valor of Rani Padmavati, Maharawal Ratan Singh and the famed Rajput ethos of honor, bravery and sacrifice, has managed to overcome all odds; aided by the support of well-wishers from across the film fraternity, the government authorities and the society at large,” Viacom said in a statement.

Padmavati was scheduled for a December 1 release which got postponed due to protests in several states for alleged misrepresentation of history and maligning the image of Queen Padmavati.

The Central Board of Film Certification recently cleared the film for release with U/A certificate and a set of five recommended changes, one of which was the name change.

With a January 25 release, “Padmaavat” is set to clash with Akshay Kumar's “PadMan”.