Padmaavat row: Karni Sena says CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi is not welcome in Jaipur

Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi may have to avoid attending this year’s Jaipur Literature Festical, as fringe group Rajput Karni Sena has said the lyricist will not be allowed to enter Rajasthan.

The festival is set to begin on January 25, the same day director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor hits the theatres.

"We won't allow Prasoon Joshi to enter Rajasthan. The moment he steps into the airport, we will follow him and we will protest," said Sukhdev Singh, a member of the Karni Sena, was quoted as saying by the media.

“Those supporting release of the film or saying anything in support of the film will never be allowed to get into Jaipur,” he said, adding that the group wants a total ban on the film.

The Rajput Karni Sena has reportedly called for a Bharat Bandh on January 25, the day the movie is scheduled to release.

A few days back, the Supreme Court of India stayed the ban imposed by several Indian states, allowing the movie to be released worldwide on January 25. However, there are many more hurdles to overcome before the film is released in Rajasthan. According to reports, there are no distributors for the movie in Rajasthan.

"We have no distributor yet. The film has not been sold to anyone. All the rights lie with Bhansali alone. I don't think the film will be released until the controversy is resolved within the state," said film distributor Sunil Bansal, according to a DNA report.

Also, the Rajasthan government said on Friday that it will file a review petition in the Supreme Court against its verdict nullifying the ban imposed on the Bhansali film based on Rajput Queen Rani Padmini. The film has been at the centre of various controversies ever since it commenced filming in December 2016. The Karni Sena claims the film distorts history and paints the Rajputs in bad light.