Padmavati row: Much ado over a piece of fiction?

It is a question that the protestors who want the film "Padmavati" to be banned must first ask themselves before they take extreme steps, such as vandalising the film's sets in Jaipur or suggesting that the acclaimed director is tried for distorting history on grounds of treason.

The question is can somebody be tried for treason because he took inspiration from a work of fiction.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film is reportedly based on the 1540 fictional piece "Padmavat" by the famous poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. The poem is a tribute to the valour of Rani Padmini, wife of the Rajput ruler of Mewar, Ratan Singh. In 1303, Alauddin Khilji, a king of the Delhi Sultanate, laid siege of the fort of Chittor.

The poem Padmavat states that Alauddin Khilji started the campaign to conquer Chittor motivated by his desire to capture Rani Padmini who committed Jauhar (self-immolation) along with other women to save their honour.

The Padmavat states that Alauddin Khilji started the campaign to conquer Chittor motivated by his desire to capture Rani Padmini who committed Jauhar (self-immolation) along with other women to save their honour.

Interestingly, the accounts prior to the "Padmavat" that describe Alauddin Khilji's Chittorgarh conquest make no mention of the queen.

Historian Amir Khusrau, who accompanied Alauddin Khilji during the important historical event, and records it in "Khaza'in ul-Futuh" makes no mention of Rani Padmini. Later accounts of Rani Padmini are all adaptations of the "Padmavat". Most modern historians have rejected the authenticity of the legend around Rani Padmini.

Rajput community leaders, several members of the BJP in the state and various right-wing organisations, including the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, the Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha and the Bajrang Dal have asked for a ban on the film, alleging that the filmmaker has distorted historical facts regarding Rani Padmini.

Their objections are to an alleged dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji which the film's director has repeatedly denied.

The Supreme Court has refused to stay the release of the film and said that the Central Board of Film Certification or the censor board follows guidelines and considers all aspects before granting a certificate to any film.

The filmmaker is yet to take the approval of the censor board, a process which routinely takes 21 days.

A legislator of a political party has problems with the fact that a Rajput queen is dancing in front of everyone which he says is completely against Rajput culture and pride.

The Rajasthan government's suggestion is to set up a committee to examine the facts. Even if historians are invited to be committee members as suggested by some, it implies that another body will take over the functions of the censor board and this will set an unhealthy trend.

A legislator of a political party has problems with the fact that a Rajput queen is dancing in front of everyone which he says is completely against Rajput culture and pride.

"The legendary queen (Padmavati) has been reportedly portrayed in a bad light (in the film). Rani Padmavati never danced, rather all women from royal families lived a very dignified life and whenever they felt that their chastity is in danger, they would jump into the fire, so that nobody can touch them. Rani Padmavati was one of them," Raj Purohit, chief whip of the BJP in the Maharashtra assembly said.

Is it really so? It is disappointing that a representative of the people, who should be open minded and carries a responsibility to be progressive has raised such objections. He is in all probability referring to the song "Ghoomar" from the film which features Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmini, dancing before the king and members of the palace. Instead, the queen should be lauded for her initiative (in the film). There is nothing vulgar in the way she is dancing. It is quite tastefully done.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has repeatedly said that there is no scene in the film that can hurt the sentiments of the Rajputs.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has repeatedly said that there is no scene in the film that can hurt the sentiments of the Rajputs.

In fact, the trailer repeatedly talks about the valour of the Rajputs. Phrases like "Rani Padmini is our pride and honour", "The one who never gives up and fights the enemy till his very last breath is a Rajput," "One who accepts all challenges and emerges victorious is a Rajput" feature in the trailer.

I am slightly disappointed by the fact that a brilliant filmmaker as Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been focussing on regressive themes in his last few films. Let us hope he has not glorified the practice of Jauhar. Rani Padmini allegedly committed self-immolation during the siege of Chittor.

Mr Bhansali's previous film "Bajirao Mastani", which was also accused of distorting historical facts but ultimately released across India, highlighted the love triangle between Bajirao Peshwa, his wife and his mistress. Perhaps the filmmaker could feature more socially progressive and relevant topics in his films that would help India transition from a developing society to a developed one.