Controversial Indian film to open

A BOLLYWOOD epic about a legendary Hindu queen will finally be released next week despite months of violent protests, Indian filmmakers have confirmed.

Padmaavat was initially due to hit screens in December. But film producer Viacom18 Motion Pictures delayed the release following protests sparked by speculation that it would depict a romantic liaison between the queen and the 13th and 14th century Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji.

Politicians had threatened to ban the film for distorting historical facts, even though historians say the queen, Padmavati, is a mythical character.

It will hit screens on Jan 25 after censors cleared it for release subject to five changes, the producers announced.

Filmmakers say the movie is based on a work of fiction by a 16th-century Sufi poet, the epic entitled Padmaavat.

The movie’s title has been changed from Padmavati to Padmaavat, possibly to reflect the fact it is based on the work.

The film first ran into opposition in January 2017 when protesters attacked director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and vandalised the set during filming in Rajasthan.

They stepped up demonstrations in November last year, including making death threats against lead actress Deepika Padukone ( above) and the director.

Despite the filmmakers’ assurances, the ministers in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have said the film will not be shown in those states. – AFPRelaxnews