Vasundhara Raje Scindia Refuses To Meet Bhansali Over ‘Padmavati’?

A major snub to Bhansali’s attempt to broker peace for his beleaguered film.

In what could be considered a setback in the efforts to appease frayed nerves and incensed fringe elements from Hindu radical groups who want Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati banned, the chief minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje Scindia has refused a meeting with the filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Informed sources say Bhansali sent “very urgent messages” to the Rajasthan CM after it was “reliably communicated” to the director that the fringe elements of Rajasthan opposing Padmavati’s release were willing to let the Rajasthan CM act as mediator and arbitrator .

However Ms Scindia refused the offer.

“Bhansali wanted the Rajmata to meet him and then view Padmavati so that she would be able to clear misapprehensions regarding the film. However the Rajmata, for reasons best known to her, has politely declined the offer.”

A source

This refusal to accept a possible attempt at reconciliation with disgruntled elements could be seen as a major snub to Bhansali’s peace plans.

“With the Rajmata’s refusal to mediate, the CBFC’s clearance of the film would not pacify the fringe elements. They want an authoritative representative of Rajput interests to clear doubts about Padmavati,” says the source.