Supporting 'Padmavati', Shabana Azmi tells film industry to boycott IFFI
Shabana Azmi
In a series of tweets, Azmi expressed her anger over the government's role in the controversy that has gripped the film
Known to speak her mind on raging issues, actress Shabana Azmi on Sunday lashed out the government's role in the raging Padmavati controversy.Azmi asked the film industry to unite and fight against the system as one over the controversy.
"The entire film industry in one voice must boycott IFFI Goa in protest against the threats issued to Deepika Padukone Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Padmavati," she said in a statement.
The International Film Festival of India is scheduled to begin from November 20th in Goa. The festival will end on November 28th and will have some of the prominent names of the film industry in attendance. Shah Rukh Khan is going to be opening the festival on Monday evening.
In a series of tweets, Azmi expressed her anger over government's role over the controversy that has gripped the film.
"Smriti Irani is preparing IFFI dats possible only bcoz the Indian Film Industry brings such acclaim to it but keeps quiet about Padmavati! This is exactly like HKL Bhagat and Congress celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi in 1989.Cultural Annihilation(sic)"
Azmi also questioned the Censor board's decision of sending back the film and stated that it was a political move. "#Padmavatis application to CBFC has been sent back bcoz of incomplete formalities! Really? Or to keep fires stoked for electoral gains?"
On November 18th, the Censor board decided to send back the film without certifying it citing 'deficiency in the application'
According to the CBFC, the movie, which has been facing protest from several Rajput groups, will be reviewed as per the set norms once it is sent back to the board after sorting out the issue.