After Padmaavat, film on Rani Lakshmi Bai draws opposition
DISTORTING HISTORY Brahman Mahasabha said the film depicts love affair between the queen and a British man LAXMIBAI, WHOSE MAIDEN NAME WAS MANIKARNIKA, WAS BORN IN VARANASI IN 1828. PORTIONS OF THE FILM WAS SHOT IN RAJASTHAN JAIPUR:
After a long-drawn and high-voltage controversy against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmaavat for allegedly distorting history, it’s now a film on Rani Lakshmi Bai, the nineteenth-century queen of Jhansi that is drawing opposition for the same reasons.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Suresh Mishra, president of the Sarva Brahman Mahasabha (SBM) alleged that the film ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi’ distorts history regarding Laxmi Bai and depicts a love affair between her and a British man.
“We have learnt about it from our friends and acquaintances in various parts of Rajasthan where some scenes of the film are being shot. The film is based on a foreigner’s book and tries to dampen the queen’s reputation,” said Mishra.
He added that he sent letters to the film’s producer, Kamal Jain, enquiring about the writers of the film, profile of the historian consulted and details of songs in the film if there are any. However, he did not receive any response from the producer which shows that his intentions are not good, alleged Mishra.
Lakshmi Bai was a Brahmin and therefore the organisation and community have queries as the film is related to Brahmin sentiments and emotions, the letter to the producer from the organisation read.
“Nobody can even imagine that Maharani Laxmi Bai could have an affair. She died fighting the British at a young age. If a film is to be made on her life, it should be a biopic,” said Mishra, adding that the organisation is opposed to distorted portrayal of historical figures for commercial motives.
He also urged the state government to obtain an affidavit from the producers that no distortion of history should take place in the film. “If the same had been done in the case of Padmaavat, there would have been no issue at all,” he said.
Lakshmi Bai, whose maiden name was Manikarnika, was born in Varanasi in 1828 to a Brahmin family.
The film was shot in Bikaner where actress Kangana Ranaut got injured during the shooting.
Starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, Padmaavat is based on 16th-century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s poem “Padmavat”. It was caught in a row after protests from Shri Rajput Karni Sena which contended that it distorts historical facts and dents the pride of the Rajput community.
After massive protests in northern and western India, Padmaavat was released in India on January 25. Theatre owners in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are not screening the film.