New Delhi: Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s fight to make his magnum opus Padmaavatreach the audience has been backed by the apex court’s decision of staying the ban on the screening in states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Supreme Court cleared the decks for the nationwide release of the film, observing that people must understand that orders of the top court have to be ‘abided with’.

After getting a big breather from the apex court of the country, the film starring Deepika Padukone in the titular role of Rani Padmavati will finally hit the screens on January 25, 2018. The lead actress in the film recently visited the famous Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai and took the blessings of Lord Ganpati.

Besides Deepika, the film stars Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji and Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh respectively. The period drama faced nationwide protests, spearheaded by Rajput outfit Karni Sena.

The members of the group alleged that the filmmaker has distorted historical facts and presented the central character of the Rani Padmavati in a controversial way. However, Sanjay Leela Bhansali clarified on many occasions that none of the above allegations stands true.

The film received a green signal from the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC). The film got a UA certificate without any cuts but has suggested that the director change the film’s title to Padmaavat besides making four other modifications.

The period drama is based on the 16th-century epic poem Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi and that explains why the stress on the new title.

The film was earlier scheduled to hit the screens on December 1, 2017, but after facing major protests across the nation by fringe groups, its release date was pushed ahead for indefinite time.