Film protesters threaten to cut off Bollywood actress’s nose
A BOLLYWOOD star has been given special police protection amid ongoing protests over a historical drama.
Deepika Padukone has been threatened with violence over her lead role in the film Padmavati – the tale of a 14th century Hindu queen of Rajasthan, based on a medieval poem.
Cinemas have been vandalised in response, and riot police put on alert ahead of its release on Dec 1.
Right-wing Hindu groups claim the film besmirches the name of Padmavati by insinuating she had a romance with a Muslim emperor while she was married to a Hindu king – a charge that has been denied by the film’s director.
Mahipal Singh Makrana, of fringe group Shri Rajput Karni Sena, said: “Rajputs never raise a hand to women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha,” referring to a story from the Ramayana Hindu legend in which a demon princess has her nose chopped off as punishment.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film’s director, has written to India’s Central Board of Film Certification asking it to speed up the release and hold a prescreening to clear up any confusion.
The film has been beset with controversy since shooting began. Sets have been destroyed, Mr Bhansali has been attacked, and a group put a £600,000 bounty on the heads of Ms Padukone and Mr Bhansali. Both have been given increased police protection.
Ms Padukone said: “Where have we reached as a nation? We have regressed. The only people we are answerable to is the censor board.”