The release of a Bollywood film, Padmavati, has been delayed indefinitely amid continued protests from Hindu groups, with an official from India's ruling BJP placing a bounty of 10 crore rupees ($1.5m) on the heads of the film's actress Deepika Padukone and its director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"We will reward the ones beheading them, with 10 crore rupees, and also take care of their family's needs," Suraj Pal Amu, chief media coordinator for the BJP in northern Haryana state, told ANI news agency on Sunday.

The BJP, which also runs the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, distanced itself from the provocative statement.