Protests broke out on the streets of Gujarat and Mumbai against the depiction of historical figure, Rani Padmavati in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film. Mumbai Police detained 15 members of the Akhand Rajputana Seva Sangh while they were protesting.
Rajput Community, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajarang Dal and Karni Sena held a joint protest against the film in Gujarat. Lokendra Singh Kalvi, President of Rajput Karni Sena gave a statement to ANI: “It is not a film, it is history. You cannot just show anything in the name of a film”.
The makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati are willing to show the epic drama to anyone doubting its content, but only on getting a green signal from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Actor Raza Murad, who is playing the role of old monarch Sultan Jalaluddin Khilji in the film, said, "I am a part of the film, but I haven't seen it yet. One thing that I am sure of is that the film will show Rani Padmavati as a very graceful lady. The way the filmmakers have described the honour, prestige and bravery of Rajputs, I don't think anyone else has ever done that in any film".
“I will say only one thing that there is cinematic liberty, which every filmmaker avails. Before this movie Bhansali made ‘Bajirao Mastani,’ which had a dance of two mistresses Kashi Bai and Mastani. Nobody raised issues at that time.”Raza Murad to ANI
Padmavati will release on December 1.
(With inputs from ANI and IANS)