On Friday, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had returned Viacom’s application for clearance for the film, triggering speculation that its release might be pushed back to next year.

Prasoon Joshi, CBFC chairman said: “In this specific case, the film’s application came up this week only for review. The makers know and admit that the paperwork is not complete — the very disclaimer whether the film is work of fiction or a historical was left blank and not stated — and on simply and legitimately being asked to provide important documents, they target the CBFC for ‘looking the other way and delay’. This truly is surprising.”

The founder patron of the Karni Sena, Lokendra Singh Kalvi, however said “there is no need for the (planned) Bharat bandh now”, the Karni Sena still wanted a “complete ban” on the film.

“Some people have been alleging that we are hand in glove with Bhansali as its TRP has risen because of us. So if we don’t damage (that notion) 100 per cent, I will have no right to say I am the 37th descendant of Rana Ratan Singh and Rani Padmavati,” Kalvi said.

“What is being done now — they are saying they have deferred its release on December 1 on their own — is an attempt to fool people. We Rajputs are naïve and will accept it, but the world understands something is amiss.” Bhansali, Kalvi said, was a “regular offender”, and Rajputs would “face” the filmmakers again and give a fresh call for a Bharat bandh whenever the film is released.