No end to Padmavat’s troubles as fringe groups issue threats
NEW DELHI: Controversial Bollywood film Padmavat might have seen a change of name and five modifications after enduring weeks of violent protests but it seems Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama is not out of the woods yet. The Shri Rajput Karni Sena, which has led violent protests against the movie, threatened on Wednesday of a “public curfew” in theatres if the film was released and reiterated its demand of a blanket ban.
“The film should be canned and thrown into the flames of Jauhar. We have heard that it is releasing on January 25 and if that happens, we will take to the streets and appeal to our youth to hold public curfew at cinema halls,” the outfit’s leader, Lokendra Singh Kalvi, said.
The Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh-starrer is expected to release on January 25 after a delay of more than a month, according to trade sources. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had cleared the film last week with five modifications, including the title change from Padmavati to Padmavat.
The movie, based on the life of legendary queen Padmini, continues to face the ire of Rajput protesters, who say the film insults a community icon by inventing romance between her and Muslim emperor Alauddin Khilji. The filmmakers have denied all charges. Rajasthan has already banned the film, with CM Vasundhara Raje saying the queen’s sacrifice was an honour that could not be insulted.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
The state government is weighing its options with CM Jai Ram Thakur saying he respected art but also people’s sentiments. “I don’t want to say anything much on the matter. We will think what we can do,” he said.
“I respect art. I was associated with art during my student life. But one should avoid hurting public sentiments,” he added. The CBFC green signal has led to sharp protests from the dominant Rajput community, which makes up 38% of the population. The community also counts 29 of the 68 legislators as its members, including the CM.
GOA
CM Manohar Parrikar said he has no “in-principle” objection to the release of Padmavat in his state if the CBFC cleared it. Parrikar said nobody would be allowed to take law in their own hands.
“If the filmmaker gets the censor certificate, then in-principle I have no objection to it. But I will definitely check if something is going to be wrong on the law and order front,” the chief minister said. “The government has to step in as a temporary measure if law and order is disturbed. If there is a censor certificate, we are not stopping it from release.”
MAHARASHTRA
The Maharashtra government is yet to decide on the release of Bollywood film Padmavat in the state, tourism minister Jaykumar Rawal has said. Rawal, a BJP MLA and a Rajput elected from Dhule district’s Sindkheda constituency, had opposed the release of the film earlier.
On Tuesday, the minister said the government will decide after taking into account CBFC’S modifications. “We need to see what has been removed from the movie as CBFC has cleared it after suggesting many cuts. If it still dis- torts history, we will continue to oppose it,” he said. Asked if he would demand a special screening, he said: “I am not the authority and want the right people to watch it and raise their voice.”
JHARKHAND
Members of the Rajput community and other right-wing outfits continue to protest Padmavat’s release despite the CBFC clearance. The Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha (ABKM) general secretary Nandkishore Chandel said, “Only change in the name of the movie will not make any difference. People know the movie was earlier named Padmavati,” he said.
“We will sit on a hunger strike before the CM’S residence from January 15 to demand a ban on the film in the state.”
Jharkhand government did not comment during the protest against the movie in November.
MADHYA PRADESH
Calling Rani Padmini ‘Rashtramata’, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had announced a ban on screening of the film in Madhya Pradesh in November, based on reports that historical facts have been distorted in the movie.
MP was the first state to announce a ban on screening of the movie and there appeared to be have been no change in the stance of the government so far.
UTTARAKHAND
The Shri Rajput Karni Sena demanded a ban on the film in Uttarakhand, which has sizeable Thakur (Rajput) population. However, Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat is yet to take a decision. He has said that the government is getting all details after which it will come to a decision.