Against the backdrop of Rajput community's protests against the film, Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday banned the screening of Ashutosh Gowarikar's controversial movie Jodhaa Akbar, based on the life of the Mughal Emperor.

A Home Department spokesman said in Lucknow that the decision to ban the screening of the film, starring Aishwarya Rai [Images] and Hrithik Roshan [Images], had been taken to maintain law and order.

Rajput organisation Kshetriya Mahasabha had protested the screening of the film on the day it was released in local cinema halls alleging the filmmaker had distorted history, which has hurt their sentiments.