Debunking all speculation of the BJP being desirous of holding Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati back until the Gujarat elections, BJP’s official spokesperson Shaina NC  says, “Please don’t go by hearsay. There is no truth to such talk.”

She proceeds to defend the film’s right to be released. “Every artiste has the right to express himself how he wants. And every member of the intended audience has the right to experience for himself or herself what the artiste has created. No person or organisation has the right to come between the his artiste and his creative expression.”

Speaking on behalf of her party, Shaina is all for  Padmavati being released  on  time. “Let the film come out. Let the audience decide whether there is anything in the content to generate discontent.  If there is, by all means protest against what you find objectionable. Dissent is a basic democratic right. But please don’t jump the gun. You can’t judge the film without seeing it,” she says.