‘Padmavati’ protests move south

TNS & Agencies

Jaipur/Bengaluru, Nov 15

The protests against Bollywood movie “Padmavati” spread to the south as Rajput community members today staged a demonstration and held a rally in Bengaluru, alleging that the film distorted history.

Members of Shri Rajput Karni Sena (SRKS) turned up at the Town Hall and marched in a procession to the Freedom Park protesting against the period film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. They called for “Bharat bandh” on December 1, the day the movie is scheduled for release.

The protesters claimed the movie was fictitious and portrayed in a poor light, Rani Padmavati, the legendary 13th century queen of Chittor, whom they worship as a Goddess. They alleged that the film starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone ignored the religious sentiments of the people of Rajasthan.

“Since all communities have openly come against the movie release, PM Narendra Modi should intervene before December 1,” said SRKS patron Lokendra Singh Kalvi.

SRKS national president Sukhdev Singh said the movie should either be banned or screened after removing the controversial portions. “We want the film to be screened first. It should be released only after we approve it. What we have learnt is that there is lot of distortion of historical facts. Till our objections are addressed, we will not let the movie to be screened anywhere,” he said.

A section of pro-Kannada organisations too came in support of the Karni Sena. The protests against ‘Padmavati’ had till now been confined to the northern and western parts of the country. Bhansali has been facing trouble since he started shooting for the movie.

The set of the movie was vandalised twice — in Jaipur and Kolhapur — and the director was roughed up earlier this year. — PTI

Security for Bhansali

• The Maharashtra Government provided security cover to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali in view of the increasing controversies and growing threats
• The Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association thanked the CM for security cover to Bhansali
• Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit urged the state government to ‘help the victim’ release his film without intrusion