Let Censor Board do its job: Govt

Gorakhpur/New Delhi/Jaipur, November 21

The Censor Board has a job which it should be allowed to do, the Centre said today even as the row over ‘Padmavati’ raged on with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath claiming filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali was no less guilty than the fringe groups extending threats.

The movie, however, continued to receive support from Bollywood personalities. Actor Ranveer Singh, who plays Alauddin Khilji in the flick, spoke out saying he was 200 per cent with the film.

In Gorakhpur, UP CM Adityanath said that filmmaker Bhansali was no less guilty than those giving threats to the movie’s crew. He alleged Bhansali was “habitual of playing with public sentiments”.

There have been several threats by various fringe groups against filmmaker Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone over the alleged “distortion” of history in the period drama.

“If there is any action, it will be against both sides,” the priest-turned-politician said, as he attacked Bhansali. No one has the right to take the law into own hands whether it is Bhansali or anyone else, he said.

“I feel that if those issuing threats are guilty, Bhansali is no less guilty,” Yogi said.

Adityanath’s Rajasthan counterpart Vasundhara Raje, meanwhile, again said the film would not be allowed to screened in her state, unless the “necessary” changes as suggested to the Centre were made.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, however, suggested that the Censor Board should be allowed to do its job. “The CBFC has been formed for a purpose. Let it do its job,” the minister said responding to a volley of questions by reporters.

Another senior Union Minister Birender Singh, said those opposing ‘Padmavati’ should first watch the film.”My opinion is clear. Some of the historic facts may not be in consonance with our thinking...Those who are opposing, first they should see the movie. If they find something which hurts them, (they can ask the producers to) remove those (parts),” he told reporters in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, film director Sudhir Mishra said a filmmaker’s right to express is as fundamental as a person’s right to protest. “As an industry we stand by each other defending our right to make films. And if any one has any problem with the film they are free to express as we live in a democracy. But you can’t take away my right to express as a filmmaker as well. It is as fundamental as expressing protest and that’s all we are saying,” Mishra said on the sidelines of IFFI Panorama Section inauguration in Panaji.

Scriptwriter Apurva Asrani said an artiste’s interpretation of a historical or mythological work has a right to exist, irrespective of the content. “I find the need to offer explanations like ‘Have you even seen one shot of Padmavati before calling for a ban/beheading’ quite ridiculous and extremely self defeating”, said Asrani in a Facebook post.

The film ‘Padmavati’ has been mired in controversy which has snowballed into a massive row over its content. Amid rumours that there was a romantic dream sequence between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji’s characters, many groups have been protesting against the movie, alleging that it distorts history. Historians are, however, divided on whether Rani Padmavati even existed. — PTI

‘Told to stay mum’

I stand 200 per cent by the film and Mr Sanjay Bhansali. Given the sensitive times right now, I have been asked to not say anything, whatever in regards to the film. Anything that needs to be (said) you will receive from the producers. — Ranveer Singh, actor

‘Watch movie first’

Some of the historic facts may not be in consonance with our thinking...Those who are opposing, first they should see the movie. If they find something which hurts them, (they can ask the producers to) remove those (parts). — Birender Singh, Union Minister