Nothing less than ban will be accepted: Karni Sena

MEANWHILE, RAJPUT BODY’S FOUNDER PATRON LOKENDRA SINGH KALVI SAYS HE HAS ACCEPTED INVITE FOR PRESCREENING OF THE MOVIE

GURGAON: ShriRajput KarniSena founder-patron Lokendra Singh K al vis aid on Monday that he has accepted the invitation of Bhansali Productions to watch the movie Padmaavat at a prescreening.

Talking to mediapersons here, Kalvi, however, asserted that the group’s demand to ban the film as it ‘distorts historical facts’ remains. “Though I am certain the movie will not be released, there should be a ‘janta curfew’ if it is screened in theatres.”

He called upon managers of cinema houses and patrons to boycott the movie. “There will be protests outside all theatres in the country that screen the movie.”

The statement comes against the backdrop of the Supreme Court agreeing to hear pleas of the state governments of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, seeking the screening of the movie be stopped to maintain law and order. The film is scheduled to release on January 25.

Kalvi was speaking to the media a day after 15 people, who claimed to be members of the Karni Sena, were arrested on charges of vandalising the DND toll plaza in Noida. Several ral- lies and protests were also organised by the group’s members in Gurgaon, effigies of the movie’s producer-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali were burnt and traffic blocked off.

Showing copies of an email sent by Bhansali Productions Pvt Ltd, Kalvi said the Sena members have been invited for the pre-screening of the film, which they are willing to attend.

“We have an invite for the prescreening of the film and have no hesitation in attending the same,” Kalvi said.

The invite, sent by the produc- tion house, clarifies that the so-called scene depicting a romantic relationship between Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmavati, which Sena members have been protesting against, was never part of the movie. While inviting the group members to watch the movie as proof, the producers also sought their cooperation to ensure ‘peaceful release of the film’.

Kalvi said the proceedings in the apex court with regard to the pleas of the governments of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh will be closely examined.