Karni Sena wants Padmavati prescreening, burns posters
JAIPUR: Members of the Rajput Karni Sena burned posters of the upcoming movie Padmavati in Jaipur on Saturday and warned the makers of the film that they will not let the film release in Rajasthan unless it’s prescreened to Rajput and Hindu outfits.
“Sanjay Leela Bhansali had assured us that the film will be shown to us before its release. But till now, the movie hasn’t been screened and the poster of the film has been unveiled,” said Karni Sena Jaipur district president Narayan Divrala.
He added that the Rajput outfit won’t let the film release in Rajasthan if historical facts and facts on Rajput and Hindu community are distorted in the film, which releases on December 1.
“We won’t let the film release unless we are certain that history is not distorted and there’s nothing offensive against the Rajput and Hindu communities,” said Divrala.
Karni Sena members had earlier vandalized the sets of Padmavati in Jaipur in January and allegedly manhandled its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
“Last time, Bhansali was slapped but this time if our demands are not met, things will get even worse,” said Divrala.
Patron of the Sena, Lokendra Singh Kalvi told HT that if facts are distorted the film’s release will be stalled in half of India.
“Around 25 days ago, I got a call from someone from Bhansali films who asked me if we wanted to see the film. I told the person to screen the film to our panel of historians and journalists, who will then take a call on it. Till now, they haven’t reverted,” said Kalvi.
Kalvi added that Sena members are currently touring various states to ensure that history is not distorted in the film.