 Right-wing Hindu groups speculated that the film portrayed a romantic liaison between Padmavati and Khilji; they protested violently and placed a bounty to behead Padukone and Bhansali.Following a deferment in release, the film was cleared for exhibition after several modifications were made to it.Anna M. M. Vetticad of "Firstpost" criticised the film's glorification of "jauhar", but credited Padukone for managing to "eke something out of the stereotype-ridden writing".