India's SC lifts ban on release of 'Padmaavat'

India's top court on Thursday overturned a ban imposed by several states on the release of a Bollywood epic about a mythical Hindu queen. The Supreme Court said the ban, which followed violent protests by members of the Hindu right who claimed the film falsely depicted a romance between the queen and a Muslim ruler, violated creative freedoms.
India's film censor board had cleared "Padmaavat" for release subject to certain changes, but at least four states said they would ban its screening. "Cinemas are an inseparable part of right to free speech and expression," said Chief Justice Dipak Misra.