Karni Sena calls for all-India ‘janta curfew’

Yash Goyal

Jaipur, January 20

Continuing its tirade against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat’, Shri Rajput Karni Sena on Saturday called for an all-India ‘janta curfew’ against the planned release of the controversial epic drama. 

“Film Distributors and Film Theatre Associations have promised us that they would not screen the film,” Lokendra Kalvi, Sena convener said. 

“We respect the Supreme Court order on the film, but it was taken in a hurry. Now Karni Sena appeals to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban it under Section 6 of the Cinematography Act,” Kalvi said.

Accompanied by Karni Sena president Mahipal Singh, Kalvi also said they would neither allow CBFC Chief Prasoon Joshi nor lyricist Javed Akhtar to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival for hurting the Rajput community. 

He warned that over 1,900 women had so far registered in Chittorgarh for committing ‘jauhar’ if the film was released as planned. 

Meanwhile, Bhansali Productions’ associate producer Chetan Deolekar appealed to Karni Sena to watch ‘Padmaavat’to clear their ojections. However, Kalvi rejected the offer, saying it was all drama as the production house had not mentioned any date for them to watch the epic drama.

Gujarat theater owners reluctant to show film  

• Despite the SC order, ‘Padmaavat’ is unlikely to be shown in Gujarat with the cinema theatre owners reluctant to run any risk in the wake of violence against the film
• Stoning-throwing and road blockades by Karni Sena and Mahakal Sena were reported from many parts of the state
• Gujarat Multiplexes Association president Rakesh Patel a decision on whether to show the film would be taken in the next couple of days.