Bhansali can shoot Padmavati movie without name change: Karni Sena

Our Correspondent

Jaipur, January 31

Making a U-turn after Bhansali Productions’ reluctance to change the name of movie ‘Padmavati’, Sri Rajput Karni Sena (SKS) patron Lokendra Singh Kalvi on Tuesday said, “Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali can go ahead with shooting the film as he has met our three demands and is also considering our two suggestions — setting up a screening committee and a preview before the release.”

(Follow ; and )

After SKS’ district president Mahipal Singh Makrana made a fresh demand to drop the name ‘Padmavati’ at a joint press conference here on Monday, Kalvi said he talked to SL Bhansali over phone last night.

Since Bhansali cited operational and legal issues in changing the movie name at this stage, Karni Sena decided to drop this demand, Kalvi, also a BJP leader, said.

Karni Sena has also suggested that a screening committee comprising a retired judge, historians and noted journalists be set up under the I&B Ministry to view the contents of the film and various aspects if related to Rajasthan’s Rajput history, Kalvi said.

SKS also strongly urged that a pre-release screening be organised for Karni Sena team for its approval, he said, adding Bhansali agreed to consider these two opinions to avoid any future protest. 

Yesterday, Shobha Sant, CEO of Bhansail Productions, told reporters here that there was no romantic dream sequence or any objectionable/romantic scene between Padmavati and Allauddin Khilji even before the Jaigarh incident on January 27.

"We have been carefully researching and making the film. We are confident that Mewar Rajputana would be proud of the film made on their revered queen. We do not want to hurt any sentiments and would appreciate if all the social organisations and local people support us in making this film and making their queen revered by the world,” Sant said.

Karni Sena activists had allegedly assaulted Bhansali, his crew members, and vandalised ‘Padmavati’ sets at Jaigarh Fort on January 27. Five persons were arrested in this connection by Amber police. They were released on bail the next day.

Bhansali had packed up its shooting and sent back the goods in trucks. He left to Mumbai on Sunday afternoon by air.