Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Padmavati became a fodder for controversy ever since the shooting for the movie began in Rajasthan. Now with the elections coming up in Gujarat, Padmavati has, yet again, taken centre stage for political parties to gain leverage over each other in terms of caste equations in the state.
Just a month away from its release, Shree Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena has called for a blanket ban of the movie across Gujarat. The BJP too has jumped the bandwagon and extended support to the Sena, demanding that either the movie be banned in the state, or the release date be postponed until after the polls are concluded.
The BJP has approached the Election Commission seeking its intervention to stop the film’s release without a pre-release screening by the Kshatriya community, saying the "distortion of facts" in the movie will hurt their sentiments.
Gujarat BJP Vice President IK Jadeja spoke to The Quint:
“The movie poorly represents Padmavati. Not only that, it shows Alauddin Khalji as some supreme warrior. This is nothing but a plot to distort the rich culture and history of the Rajputs. The polls have been declared, and the climate can turn volatile if the movie is released, as it hurts the sentiments of the Rajput community. Taking this into consideration, the release of the movie should be stopped.”IK Jadeja, Gujarat BJP Vice President
“We have sent a letter to the Election Commision taking the election dates into consideration, and have also written to the censor board asking them to review the film and take action against its makers for distorting the history of the country,” he added.
Earlier, Shankersinh Vaghela, an influential Kshatriya leader and former chief minister of the state had made an identical demand, and warned that if Padmavati was released without the community's approval, there could be violence.
The opposition Congress said the ruling party was playing at politics and trying to turn the film into a poll issue.
“Now that the elections are round the corner, you are writing to the EC asking it not to allow release of the movie. This is an attempt by the BJP to make it a poll issue.”Shaktisinh Gohil, Congress spokesperson
Rajasthan-based Rajput community group Karni Sena had earlier opposed the film, alleging distortion of history, and vandalised its sets. Bhansali was attacked by the members of the outfit while shooting in Rajasthan.
Manubhai Patel from the Gujarat Multiplex Owner’s Association said, “We have received the letter. If things go south, we will not show the movie in theatres and multiplexes of Gujarat. The same issue was raised during the release of Bhansali’s Ram Leela but the movie did hit the theatres here eventually. But with the elections due, nothing can be said for sure.”
The Deepika Padukone-Shahid Kapoor-Ranveer Singh-starrer is set to release on 1 December.
(With inputs from PTI)
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT to find #PollutionKaSolution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)