Sets of Bhansali film set on fire
After Rajasthan attack, Padmavati faces fresh trouble in Maharashtra
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.
The police is yet to establish the perpetrators’ identity or their motive in ransacking the sets. For the last 10 days, the police had provided protection to the filmmakers during the daytime as the members of the Karni Sena, an obscure outfit, had attacked the crew while they were shooting in Jaipur in January.
The attackers had claimed that the script distorted historical facts, which hurt their sentiments.
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.
Senior officers said protection was sought during the daytime for the set, which was provided.
“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. They walked to the set and set it on fire before fleeing.
The private security and crewmembers managed to nab two vandals, however, their accomplices released them from captivity and took them away.