Goons set afire Padmavati sets
A group of around 20 unidentified men armed with petrol bombs and rods vandalised the sets of director-producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming period film Padmavati at Panhala in Kolhapur around 12.45 am on Wednesday.
The group set ablaze tents erected at the site, according to the police, which registered a case of arson and rioting against the unidentified vandals. Two cars were also damaged in the attack.
None of the cast or crew was present at Kolhapur's Masai Pathar plateau when the incident occurred, but a horse is said to be injured. Mr Bhansali was at a resort around six kilometres away from the site, the police said. Up to 20 fire engines were pressed into action to douse the flames.
Minister of state for home department Deepak Kesarkar has requested Mr Bhansali to officially lodge a police complaint over the attack.
Mumbai: A group of around 20 unidentified men armed with petrol bombs and rods vandalised the sets of director-producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming period film Padmavati at Panhala in Kolhapur around 12.45 am on Wednesday. Senior officers said protection was sought during the daytime for the set, which was provided. “The tents contained costumes and wooden material and hence they caught fire. Some crewmembers were present at the spot and two of them sustained minor injuries in the attack. They were provided medical aid soon after. The shoot was to continue for five more days," Vishwas Nangre Patil, Inspector General, Aurangabad told this newspaper. "Bhansali was at a resort located at Panhala six kilometres from the site and he was informed about the attack soon after the incident took place. We are investigating all angles, including the possibility of locals being angered by the crew members' actions," Mahadev Tambade, superintendent of police (Kolhapur), said. The police is yet to ascertain the identity of the persons who vandalised the set and suspect Rajput groups from Kolhapur to be involved. The group came in cars that were parked around a kilometre from the plateau.