After weeks of drama surrounding the film - with fringe outfits demanding a ban on it and lead actor Deepika Padukone asserting that "nothing can stop the release" - Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati witnesses yet another and possibly the final twist in the tale. Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the producers of the Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor and Padukone-starrer, issued a statement yesterday saying that the studio has "voluntarily deferred the release date of the film from December 1, 2017." The studio emphasised its "respect and regard for the law of the land and all our institutions and statutory bodies including the Central Board of Certification." It also stated that a new release date will be announced once the requisite clearances are in place.

Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in 'Padmavati'