New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) Trade analyst Komal Nahata has termed as 'historical' decision by the Supreme Court turning down the decision by some state governments to ban the release of 'Padmaavat' despite the film having been given a clearance by the Censor Board.

Reacting to the judgement, the trade expert said, the order was a slap on the face of the state governments that had banned the film. 'The Supreme Court judgement in Padmaavat case is such a tight slap on the faces of the state governments which had banned the film. It is a Red letter day and a historic judgement for not just Sanjay Leela Bhansali but for the film industry and lovers of cinema all over,' Nahata said.

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the ban on the release of the film 'Padmaavat' imposed by four states, allowing for an all-India release on January 25. In its order, the Court also restrained other states from issuing such a ban+ on the exhibition of the film. It stated that all states are constitutionally obliged to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents during the film's screening across India.

The producers moved the top court through senior lawyer Harish Salve and advocate Mahesh Agarwal and submitted, in a petition, that the movie has undergone changes including in its title as suggested by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Asserting that the film has been cleared by the CBFC, the plea said the states cannot impose a blanket ban on a film and its screening can be suspended in a particular area or areas on account of law and order problem, not across the states.

UNI AR SW 1254