<p>Celebrated Bollywood singer and Minister of State Babul Supriyo spoke to WION&rsquo;s Kartikeya Sharma about the Padmavati controversy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Supriyo said violence and threats to filmmakers are unacceptable, and that he hopes the film will be released soon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also spoke about the Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<strong>Sir, how do you view the Padmavati controversy?</strong></p>

<p>Creative freedom exists in our country. The entire noise which exists around the film Padmavati is not desirable and lot of people have taken freedom of speech for granted. Whatever has happened is sad and shouldn&rsquo;t have happened. Obviously CBFC is seized of the matter. IB ministry has made it very clear that matter should be left to CBFC. Controversies like these invites people to make comments out of turn. Only way to resolve the issue is through process and dialogue.</p>

<p><strong>Is it one of creative freedom?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>That is fair enough. I cannot give you an answer from an extreme point of view. Let&rsquo;s take Padmavati aside for a moment. The debate on artistic freedom has been age-old worldwide. In France, a piece of art became controversial and it was moved. The debate about good cinema and bad cinema continues. Padmavati is a huge film. There are many people who want to see the film but there are some question marks on it too. People who have not seen the film are raising the questions. There are apprehensions and I feel dialogue is the way forward. We can celebrate the life of the queen without hurting the sentiment which also needs to be looked into.</p>

<p><strong>Deepika Padukone and other actors are being threatened?</strong></p>

<p>That&rsquo;s not correct. Deepika is just an artist who portrayed the character. She did what she was asked for. Film is a director&rsquo;s medium. Threats are deplorable and no one subscribes to it. Deepika Padukone is a loved artist. The law of the land applies to everyone. There were lot of controversies around Ae Dil Hai Mushkil that subsequently got resolved. I&rsquo;m sure this too shall be resolved despite all the noise. It is going to find a good closure.</p>

<p><strong>Do you think bans work in the age of the internet?</strong></p>

<p>I would say that let process take its course. Even if CBFC doesn&rsquo;t agree, filmmakers will still have tribunals to look into the issue. People have the liberty to approach other bodies. Artistic disagreements can happen with the CBFC and other bodies. I think it should be resolved peacefully. Music is about peace as it provides reprieve from the grind of daily life. I just hope that at the end, good for everyone shall prevail.</p>

<p><strong>Should films be judged from the position of a community&rsquo;s honour?</strong></p>

<p>The CBFC has to do the job. Life is not what is happening to you but how you react to it. Film is a huge process. Any good form of art it goes through its metamorphosis. I&rsquo;m sure it will find its own way to reach people. As an artist, I pray for it and don&rsquo;t want to take sides by adding fuel to the fire. For an example, with Hussain there were many controversies and I would see him at Lokhandwala but no one would attack him. We aren&rsquo;t living a dream. People have their own apprehensions but I hope Padmavati reaches people in most beautiful manner. Cinema is about beauty. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Is the BJP well placed in Gujarat?</strong></p>

<p>I&rsquo;m certain that BJP will surmount problems in Gujarat. Unless and until you move into a house you cannot decide what to do with it. GST is only having teething problems which is being addressed properly and at regular intervals. GST is the biggest reform. The debate will continue. If you don&rsquo;t bring larger section into the tax net it would not work in future for India. Modi has belled the cat and shown the courage to take reform agenda forward. Lot of praise should go to the Prime Minister Modi. We will win Gujarat. The debate only makes the follow-up of the election very interesting.</p>

<p><strong>How do you view Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s </strong><strong>campaign.</strong><strong> The Centre&#39;s economic policies have become an issue...</strong></p>

<p>If Rahul Gandhi choses to take the side of the tax evaders, he will obviously find support. Lot of people wouldn&rsquo;t like to pay taxes. But lot of people also pay taxes. Honest people pay taxes. They pay taxes for the country as poor needs to be subsidised. The government needs to meet those goals. Rahul has a lineage and people will listen to him. But he is confusing people. All state elections in past have shown that the mandate has been for Modi. Congress, by promising reservations to Patels, is akin to fooling people as our senior leadership has pointed out.</p>

<p><strong>Why couldn&rsquo;t this be solved by the local BJP leadership?</strong></p>

<p>In a party, you cannot have six or seven Narendra Modi. He is the biggest leader and he will be at the centre stage. His move to centre from the state has not weakened the state unit. His vision is being implemented. You cannot have his replacement yet others are doing their job. He will be missed in key areas in the state but it doesn&rsquo;t mean that job is not being done.</p>

<p><strong>Why is the BJP importing leaders like Mukul Roy from other parties?</strong></p>

<p>Lot of people are getting convinced by our ideology. What is wrong in people joining us. People change with times and get attracted to other ideologies. Don&rsquo;t people in corporates move. Don&rsquo;t people want to do better in life. Coming to BJP is a promotion and I welcome them. When you are trying to do better in life then the better place to go is BJP. They are doing the right thing.</p>

<p><strong>What were the hits and misses of the BJP campaign in West Bengal?</strong></p>

<p>TMC and Left for a long period of time have practised different kind of politics. In remote areas, they have done nothing. Votes were purchased. 100 rupees also make a difference in some areas. They have given cycles in the name of government schemes.</p>

<p><strong>But the BJP was not able to turn its support into seats?</strong></p>

<p>BJP has not been traditionally present in West Bengal. It was Left and Congress and then TMC. We are taking steps. Mamata, out of 30 minutes, spends majority of time attacking BJP. We will do very well in 2019. We have the space in West Bengal.</p>

<p><strong>Is the BJP prepared for the 2019 elections?</strong></p>

<p>There will be few hits and misses but in the end, we will come out stronger. Our party has done exceedingly well under the Prime Minister. The reform agenda will continue.</p>


Deepika did what she was asked to do, Supriyo told WION. He added that threats are deplorable and no one subscribes to them

Celebrated Bollywood singer and Minister of State Babul Supriyo spoke to WION’s Kartikeya Sharma about the Padmavati controversy. Supriyo said violence and threats to filmmakers are unacceptable, and that he hopes the film will be released soon. He also spoke about the Gujarat elections. Sir, how do you view the Padmavati controversy? Creative freedom exists in our country. The entire noise which exists around the film Padmavati is not desirable and lot of people have taken freedom of speech for granted. Whatever has happened is sad and shouldn’t have happened. Obviously CBFC is seized of the matter. IB ministry has made it very clear that matter should be left to CBFC. Controversies like these invites people to make comments out of turn. Only way to resolve the issue is through process and dialogue. Is it one of creative freedom? That is fair enough. I cannot give you an answer from an extreme point of view. Let’s take Padmavati aside for a moment. The debate on artistic freedom has been age-old worldwide. In France, a piece of art became controversial and it was moved. The debate about good cinema and bad cinema continues. Padmavati is a huge film. There are many people who want to see the film but there are some question marks on it too. People who have not seen the film are raising the questions. There are apprehensions and I feel dialogue is the way forward. We can celebrate the life of the queen without hurting the sentiment which also needs to be looked into. Deepika Padukone and other actors are being threatened? That’s not correct. Deepika is just an artist who portrayed the character. She did what she was asked for. Film is a director’s medium. Threats are deplorable and no one subscribes to it. Deepika Padukone is a loved artist. The law of the land applies to everyone. There were lot of controversies around Ae Dil Hai Mushkil that subsequently got resolved. I’m sure this too shall be resolved despite all the noise. It is going to find a good closure. Do you think bans work in the age of the internet? I would say that let process take its course. Even if CBFC doesn’t agree, filmmakers will still have tribunals to look into the issue. People have the liberty to approach other bodies. Artistic disagreements can happen with the CBFC and other bodies. I think it should be resolved peacefully. Music is about peace as it provides reprieve from the grind of daily life. I just hope that at the end, good for everyone shall prevail. Should films be judged from the position of a community’s honour? The CBFC has to do the job. Life is not what is happening to you but how you react to it. Film is a huge process. Any good form of art it goes through its metamorphosis. I’m sure it will find its own way to reach people. As an artist, I pray for it and don’t want to take sides by adding fuel to the fire. For an example, with Hussain there were many controversies and I would see him at Lokhandwala but no one would attack him. We aren’t living a dream. People have their own apprehensions but I hope Padmavati reaches people in most beautiful manner. Cinema is about beauty. Is the BJP well placed in Gujarat? I’m certain that BJP will surmount problems in Gujarat. Unless and until you move into a house you cannot decide what to do with it. GST is only having teething problems which is being addressed properly and at regular intervals. GST is the biggest reform. The debate will continue. If you don’t bring larger section into the tax net it would not work in future for India. Modi has belled the cat and shown the courage to take reform agenda forward. Lot of praise should go to the Prime Minister Modi. We will win Gujarat. The debate only makes the follow-up of the election very interesting. How do you view Rahul Gandhi’s campaign. The Centre's economic policies have become an issue... If Rahul Gandhi choses to take the side of the tax evaders, he will obviously find support. Lot of people wouldn’t like to pay taxes. But lot of people also pay taxes. Honest people pay taxes. They pay taxes for the country as poor needs to be subsidised. The government needs to meet those goals. Rahul has a lineage and people will listen to him. But he is confusing people. All state elections in past have shown that the mandate has been for Modi. Congress, by promising reservations to Patels, is akin to fooling people as our senior leadership has pointed out. Why couldn’t this be solved by the local BJP leadership? In a party, you cannot have six or seven Narendra Modi. He is the biggest leader and he will be at the centre stage. His move to centre from the state has not weakened the state unit. His vision is being implemented. You cannot have his replacement yet others are doing their job. He will be missed in key areas in the state but it doesn’t mean that job is not being done. Why is the BJP importing leaders like Mukul Roy from other parties? Lot of people are getting convinced by our ideology. What is wrong in people joining us. People change with times and get attracted to other ideologies. Don’t people in corporates move. Don’t people want to do better in life. Coming to BJP is a promotion and I welcome them. When you are trying to do better in life then the better place to go is BJP. They are doing the right thing. What were the hits and misses of the BJP campaign in West Bengal? TMC and Left for a long period of time have practised different kind of politics. In remote areas, they have done nothing. Votes were purchased. 100 rupees also make a difference in some areas. They have given cycles in the name of government schemes. But the BJP was not able to turn its support into seats? BJP has not been traditionally present in West Bengal. It was Left and Congress and then TMC. We are taking steps. Mamata, out of 30 minutes, spends majority of time attacking BJP. We will do very well in 2019. We have the space in West Bengal. Is the BJP prepared for the 2019 elections? There will be few hits and misses but in the end, we will come out stronger. Our party has done exceedingly well under the Prime Minister. The reform agenda will continue.

Not correct that Deepika, others were threatened: Union Minister Babul Supriyo tells WION on Padmavati

<p>I grew up hearing pride sagas of Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan, Rana Sanga, Rani Padmini, Rani Lakshmibai and a lot more heroes. My grandmother had a treasure of such heroic tales. From interesting folklores to epic poems written by famous personalities, those bedtime stories gave me the fascination to know Indian history.</p>

<p>When I learned more about Indian history, one thing was very clear that history is always written from the perspective of the victors, not the losers. Victory tales are easier to carry forward to next generation and there are various ways of doing it, such as writing songs, poems, stories, movies etc.</p>

<p>Cinema has a huge impact on the people. Its content, music, theme, location, actors, play an important role in establishing the relation between cinema and society. Movies and TV serials based on history and mythology have lasting impression for decades and sometimes forever.</p>

<p>For instance, Ramanand Sagar&#39;s Ramayan was a very popular TV show in India during the 90s. The popular actor Arun Govil who played Ram was actually considered as Lord Ram by many believers. Once, he was beaten up by the people when they caught him smoking.</p>

<p>There are several other examples of such cases where people have gotten into such acts by showing their passion for a particular movie or TV serial.</p>

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<h5>There are people, who are not protesting but has deep-rooted sentiments associated with Rani Padmavati but their sentiments are unheard.</h5>
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<p>On the contrary, the protest done by Karni Sena and Rajput communities for the movies Padmavati is entirely different. The movie, which is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and has Deepika Padukone&nbsp;in the lead role, is said to have distorted history.</p>

<p>I don&#39;t support the ongoing row but there are people, who are not protesting but have deep-rooted sentiments associated with Rani Padmavati, and their sentiments are unheard. I am&nbsp;waiting for the CBFC&#39;s certificate and movie&#39;s disclaimer, before that I can not comment on the movie.</p>

<p>When I talk about the disclaimer, there are two ways it can happen, first, either the&nbsp;disclaimer will say that the movie is based on fictional characters but there is the presence of historical characters, such as Rawal Singh and Alauddin Khilji and both have a documented history. Also, if it is based on fiction or myth then, why the name Padmavati is taken? He could have used some other name Leelawati or Mayawati but why Padmavati?</p>

<p>It is not about Padmavati&#39;s physical existence but Rajput community believes in Rani Padmavati and that belief is connected to their sentiment. Even Sai Baba was politicised, but many who believed in him still worship him. The controversy that said, &quot;Sai Baba was not a God or a Saint, he should not be worshipped&quot; just benefitted fringe groups and factions. Many of us do believe in God and Goddess but there will always be a question on the existence of God/Goddess as well. But believers are going to believe.</p>

<p>Second, if the disclaimer says that movie is based on real historical characters, then Mr Bhansali is proving the point that Rani Padmavati existed.</p>

<p>Biography of Alauddin was documented by a Persian historian Wassaf and it is one the few sources to learn about Khilji dynasty. Along with Wassaf, Amir Khusrau also has written about Alauddin Khilji.</p>

<p>In the 12th century, Khusrau has documented that Alauddin treated the obedient Hindu zamindars kindly and granted more favours to them than they had expected. He also stated that all the insolent Hindus in the realm of Hind had died on the battlefield and the other Hindus had bowed their heads before Alauddin.</p>

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<h5>The best way to get rid of such protests for the movies which are based on mythology or history, the director must get the script approved by Censor Board then start the production process.</h5>
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<p>Raja Rawal Singh did not bow his head and was defeated inadequately in the battlefield, though he fought bravely along with his commanders Gora and Badal, but died at the end, leaving behind his two wives and the empire. The wives, Rani Prabhavati and Rani Padmavati had no other option to save their pride and honour from the invaders through self-immolation (Jauhar).</p>

<p>In my opinion, the best way to get rid of such protests around movies, which are based on mythology or history, is to get the script approved by the Censor Board then start the production process. To judge the movie after the release doesn&#39;t make any sense. Movies like Padmavati, which has&nbsp;gathered attention will do good business. If the director has made the film to earn profit then its ok otherwise if he is portraying Rajputana pride and honour then the movie must soothe the Rajput communities.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


The Rajput community believes in Rani Padmavati and that belief is connected to their sentiments.

I grew up hearing pride sagas of Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan, Rana Sanga, Rani Padmini, Rani Lakshmibai and a lot more heroes. My grandmother had a treasure of such heroic tales. From interesting folklores to epic poems written by famous personalities, those bedtime stories gave me the fascination to know Indian history. When I learned more about Indian history, one thing was very clear that history is always written from the perspective of the victors, not the losers. Victory tales are easier to carry forward to next generation and there are various ways of doing it, such as writing songs, poems, stories, movies etc. Cinema has a huge impact on the people. Its content, music, theme, location, actors, play an important role in establishing the relation between cinema and society. Movies and TV serials based on history and mythology have lasting impression for decades and sometimes forever. For instance, Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan was a very popular TV show in India during the 90s. The popular actor Arun Govil who played Ram was actually considered as Lord Ram by many believers. Once, he was beaten up by the people when they caught him smoking. There are several other examples of such cases where people have gotten into such acts by showing their passion for a particular movie or TV serial. There are people, who are not protesting but has deep-rooted sentiments associated with Rani Padmavati but their sentiments are unheard. × On the contrary, the protest done by Karni Sena and Rajput communities for the movies Padmavati is entirely different. The movie, which is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and has Deepika Padukone in the lead role, is said to have distorted history. I don't support the ongoing row but there are people, who are not protesting but have deep-rooted sentiments associated with Rani Padmavati, and their sentiments are unheard. I am waiting for the CBFC's certificate and movie's disclaimer, before that I can not comment on the movie. When I talk about the disclaimer, there are two ways it can happen, first, either the disclaimer will say that the movie is based on fictional characters but there is the presence of historical characters, such as Rawal Singh and Alauddin Khilji and both have a documented history. Also, if it is based on fiction or myth then, why the name Padmavati is taken? He could have used some other name Leelawati or Mayawati but why Padmavati? It is not about Padmavati's physical existence but Rajput community believes in Rani Padmavati and that belief is connected to their sentiment. Even Sai Baba was politicised, but many who believed in him still worship him. The controversy that said, "Sai Baba was not a God or a Saint, he should not be worshipped" just benefitted fringe groups and factions. Many of us do believe in God and Goddess but there will always be a question on the existence of God/Goddess as well. But believers are going to believe. Second, if the disclaimer says that movie is based on real historical characters, then Mr Bhansali is proving the point that Rani Padmavati existed. Biography of Alauddin was documented by a Persian historian Wassaf and it is one the few sources to learn about Khilji dynasty. Along with Wassaf, Amir Khusrau also has written about Alauddin Khilji. In the 12th century, Khusrau has documented that Alauddin treated the obedient Hindu zamindars kindly and granted more favours to them than they had expected. He also stated that all the insolent Hindus in the realm of Hind had died on the battlefield and the other Hindus had bowed their heads before Alauddin. The best way to get rid of such protests for the movies which are based on mythology or history, the director must get the script approved by Censor Board then start the production process. × Raja Rawal Singh did not bow his head and was defeated inadequately in the battlefield, though he fought bravely along with his commanders Gora and Badal, but died at the end, leaving behind his two wives and the empire. The wives, Rani Prabhavati and Rani Padmavati had no other option to save their pride and honour from the invaders through self-immolation (Jauhar). In my opinion, the best way to get rid of such protests around movies, which are based on mythology or history, is to get the script approved by the Censor Board then start the production process. To judge the movie after the release doesn't make any sense. Movies like Padmavati, which has gathered attention will do good business. If the director has made the film to earn profit then its ok otherwise if he is portraying Rajputana pride and honour then the movie must soothe the Rajput communities. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: As a Rajput girl, I believe in Padmavati

<p><em>Padmavati </em>will not be screened in Gujarat. The chief minister of the state, Vijay Rupani, on Wednesday, stated that the home department of the state had decided to ban the film to avoid breakdown of law and order in the state which is headed for an election.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Gujarat is the second state to ban the film. A few days back, Madhya Pradesh had declared it would not screen the film.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;No <em>Padmavati</em> in Gujarat. The government will not allow its release in the state. We don&rsquo;t want any controversy and law and order situation in the state,&rdquo; he said.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;There are elections here and there could be a law and order situation. Many sections are hurt and have opposed it too,&rdquo; he added. Voting will be held in Gujarat on December 9 and 14.<br />
<br />
Earlier a few BJP MLAs from Gujarat had written the election commissioner to defer the release of the film as it would clash with state elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have also expressed their displeasure over the content of the film. Both states have requested that the film should remove objectionable scenes- which may hurt the sentiments of the people- and only then will they allow the film to be screened in their respective states.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The film has been riddled by controversy for a long time and the makers have pushed the release of the film to next year. Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s <em>Padmavati</em> was earlier slated for a December 1 release.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Lok Sabha panel has asked the CBFC and the information and broadcasting ministry to submit a report on the film which stars &nbsp;Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, by November 30.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Gujarat is the second state to ban the film.

Padmavati will not be screened in Gujarat. The chief minister of the state, Vijay Rupani, on Wednesday, stated that the home department of the state had decided to ban the film to avoid breakdown of law and order in the state which is headed for an election. Gujarat is the second state to ban the film. A few days back, Madhya Pradesh had declared it would not screen the film. “No Padmavati in Gujarat. The government will not allow its release in the state. We don’t want any controversy and law and order situation in the state,” he said. “There are elections here and there could be a law and order situation. Many sections are hurt and have opposed it too,” he added. Voting will be held in Gujarat on December 9 and 14. Earlier a few BJP MLAs from Gujarat had written the election commissioner to defer the release of the film as it would clash with state elections. Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have also expressed their displeasure over the content of the film. Both states have requested that the film should remove objectionable scenes- which may hurt the sentiments of the people- and only then will they allow the film to be screened in their respective states. The film has been riddled by controversy for a long time and the makers have pushed the release of the film to next year. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati was earlier slated for a December 1 release. A Lok Sabha panel has asked the CBFC and the information and broadcasting ministry to submit a report on the film which stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, by November 30.

Padmavati row: After Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat bans the film

<p>Maharashtra Tourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal today demanded a ban on the screening of the controversy-ridden film <em>Padmavati</em>&nbsp;in the state.<br />
<br />
Rawal has also written a letter to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanding that the movie be shown to a committee of expert historians for scrutiny.&nbsp;&quot;I have written a letter to the chief minister demanding a ban on the movie if it distorted historical facts,&quot; the BJP leader said.<br />
<br />
He said any &quot;objectionable scenes&quot; in the movie should be deleted before its release is allowed.&nbsp;Rawal said he has written to the CBFC to cancel the &quot;certificate given to the movie&quot; and that it be shown to a committee of expert historians.<br />
<br />
&quot;Requesting the CBFC to immediately cancel the certificate given to the movie <em>Padmavati</em>. A committee comprising expert historians be allowed to watch the movie and edit the defamatory fantasies for the language, script, and scenes which undermines, devalues and insults the great valour and sacrifice of Rani Padmavati which is being worshipped by lakhs of people,&quot; the letter read.<br />
<br />
The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh is based on Rajput queen Padmavati.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Amid rumours that there was a romantic dream sequence between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji&#39;s characters, various Rajput and other groups have been protesting against the film, alleging it &quot;distorts&quot; history and hurts the sentiments of the people.<br />
<br />
Historians are, however, divided on whether Rani Padmavati even existed.&nbsp;Rawal said actor Ranveer Singh should not have played the character of Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khalji in the movie.</p>

<p>&quot;He (Ranveer Singh) should have thought what role is he playing,&quot; he said.&nbsp;Khalji has been projected as a hero in the movie and today&#39;s generation believe in movies, he said.<br />
<br />
&quot;Do they want them to believe that Khalji was a hero?&quot; the minister asked.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-what-state-chief-ministers-have-to-say-about-the-film-24733">Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh</a>, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh - all BJP ruled states - and Punjab, ruled by the Congress, have already opposed the release of the movie.&nbsp;</p>


Maharashtra Tourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal today demanded a ban on the screening of the controversy-ridden film Padmavati in the state

Maharashtra Tourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal today demanded a ban on the screening of the controversy-ridden film Padmavati in the state. Rawal has also written a letter to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanding that the movie be shown to a committee of expert historians for scrutiny. "I have written a letter to the chief minister demanding a ban on the movie if it distorted historical facts," the BJP leader said. He said any "objectionable scenes" in the movie should be deleted before its release is allowed. Rawal said he has written to the CBFC to cancel the "certificate given to the movie" and that it be shown to a committee of expert historians. "Requesting the CBFC to immediately cancel the certificate given to the movie Padmavati. A committee comprising expert historians be allowed to watch the movie and edit the defamatory fantasies for the language, script, and scenes which undermines, devalues and insults the great valour and sacrifice of Rani Padmavati which is being worshipped by lakhs of people," the letter read. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh is based on Rajput queen Padmavati. Amid rumours that there was a romantic dream sequence between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji's characters, various Rajput and other groups have been protesting against the film, alleging it "distorts" history and hurts the sentiments of the people. Historians are, however, divided on whether Rani Padmavati even existed. Rawal said actor Ranveer Singh should not have played the character of Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khalji in the movie. "He (Ranveer Singh) should have thought what role is he playing," he said. Khalji has been projected as a hero in the movie and today's generation believe in movies, he said. "Do they want them to believe that Khalji was a hero?" the minister asked. Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh - all BJP ruled states - and Punjab, ruled by the Congress, have already opposed the release of the movie.

Now, Maharashtra BJP minister seeks ban on 'Padmavati'

<p>Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan said Wednesday that Padmavati -- the fictional queen of Chittor -- would be taught in the state&#39;s schools.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Rashtramata Maharani Padmavati will be taught in schools from next syllabus,&quot; Chauhan said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Our children will get to know from books about her greatness and not depend on distortions,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rashtramata Maharani <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> will be taught in schools from next syllabus. Our children will get to know from books about her greatness and not depend on distortions: MP CM Shivraj Chouhan <a href="https://t.co/FIcTVxyc7u">pic.twitter.com/FIcTVxyc7u</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/933339541817065473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Chouhan was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-now-shivraj-singh-chuahan-bans-the-film-in-madhya-pradesh-24645" target="_blank">the first chief minister to ban the movie</a> in his state on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-after-madhya-pradesh-gujarat-bans-the-film-24851" target="_blank">followed by Gujarat</a> today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have also threatened to ban the movie if &quot;objectionable scenes&quot; from it are not removed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajput and Hindu groups have been vociferously protesting against the movie saying it distorts history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They have been most worried by a reported &quot;dream sequence&quot; in the movie between Deepika Padukone (who plays Padmavati) and Ranveer Singh (who plays Allaudin Khilji).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Khilji, the sultan of Delhi, had invaded and defeated the Rajput kingdom of Chittor in 1303.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Popular legend says Rani Padmavati committed &quot;jauhar&quot; (mass &quot;sati&quot;) to save her honour from Khilji.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Historians however say there is no mention of a queen Padmavati in history.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that the first mention of her is found in a book of poetry -- Padmavat -- written in 1520 by the sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The historians therefore say Padmavati was not a historical figure but a literary character -- one found only in books.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


'Our children will get to know from books about her greatness and not depend on distortions,' the Madhya Pradesh chief minister said

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan said Wednesday that Padmavati -- the fictional queen of Chittor -- would be taught in the state's schools. "Rashtramata Maharani Padmavati will be taught in schools from next syllabus," Chauhan said. "Our children will get to know from books about her greatness and not depend on distortions," he added. Rashtramata Maharani #Padmavati will be taught in schools from next syllabus. Our children will get to know from books about her greatness and not depend on distortions: MP CM Shivraj Chouhan pic.twitter.com/FIcTVxyc7u — ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2017 × Chouhan was the first chief minister to ban the movie in his state on Tuesday. He was followed by Gujarat today. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have also threatened to ban the movie if "objectionable scenes" from it are not removed. Rajput and Hindu groups have been vociferously protesting against the movie saying it distorts history. They have been most worried by a reported "dream sequence" in the movie between Deepika Padukone (who plays Padmavati) and Ranveer Singh (who plays Allaudin Khilji). Khilji, the sultan of Delhi, had invaded and defeated the Rajput kingdom of Chittor in 1303. Popular legend says Rani Padmavati committed "jauhar" (mass "sati") to save her honour from Khilji. Historians however say there is no mention of a queen Padmavati in history. And that the first mention of her is found in a book of poetry -- Padmavat -- written in 1520 by the sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. The historians therefore say Padmavati was not a historical figure but a literary character -- one found only in books.

Padmavati to be taught in MP schools, will not depend on distortions: Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan

<p>Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi on Tuesday said he likes to work with newcomers as he believes heroes are to be found in the crowd.</p>

<p>The Oscar-nominated filmmaker, who is behind globally- acclaimed films such as <em>Children of Heaven</em>&nbsp;and<em> The Color of Paradise</em>, said it was a dream to set a complete film in India and he eventually realised it with <em>Beyond The Clouds</em>.<br />
<br />
The movie opened the 48th edition of the International Film Festival of India last evening and is slated to be released next year.<br />
<br />
Actor Deepika Padukone had initially auditioned for the movie but Majidi finally chose newcomer Ishaan Khatter and Malayalam cinema actor Malavika Mohanan.<br />
<br />
&quot;I choose my subjects from the society... I choose my heroes from the crowd. I mostly work with newcomers, but this doesn&#39;t mean that I don&#39;t want to work with professional ones,&quot; Majidi said at a press conference on the sidelines of IFFI.<br />
<br />
The director said he may work with an established actor in his career later but finds it tough because of the locations he shoots in.<br />
<br />
&quot;It was tough to organise things on the sets with a big star. For one day, we organised auditions with Deepika. I remember it was difficult to manage things as people wanted to meet her and were very curious,&quot; he said.<br />
For Tara&#39;s character, played by Mohanan, Majidi said he was inspired by his travels in India.</p>

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<p>Deepika Padukone did audition for Majidi&#39;s film images of which went viral. (Zee News Network)</p>
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<p>&quot;In my films, locations have character as well. In this film, I have tried to find a character in the location, which was Mumbai.</p>

<p>&quot;I had travelled (across) India many times before making the film so that was my evaluation of a normal poverty-struck woman. In countries with large population, the possibility of women and children having social problems is more and that is was Tara is all about,&quot; he said.</p>

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<p>A still from Beyond The Clouds (Zee News Network)</p>
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<p>The director is surprised by the popularity of his films India, particularly among youth.<br />
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&quot;It is a wonderful feeling when young generation says good things about my cinema. But at the same time, it is a huge responsibility on me.&quot;</p>

<p><em>Beyond the Clouds</em>, produced by Zee Studios and Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora of Namah Pictures, revolves around the life of a young brother-sister duo from Mumbai.&nbsp;For the film, Majidi collaborated with an Indian cast and crew. Director Vishal Bhardwaj has written the Hindi dialogues of the film.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Deepika Padukone had initially auditioned for the movie but Majidi finally chose newcomer Ishaan Khatter and Malayalam cinema actor Malavika Mohanan.

Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi on Tuesday said he likes to work with newcomers as he believes heroes are to be found in the crowd. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker, who is behind globally- acclaimed films such as Children of Heaven and The Color of Paradise, said it was a dream to set a complete film in India and he eventually realised it with Beyond The Clouds. The movie opened the 48th edition of the International Film Festival of India last evening and is slated to be released next year. Actor Deepika Padukone had initially auditioned for the movie but Majidi finally chose newcomer Ishaan Khatter and Malayalam cinema actor Malavika Mohanan. "I choose my subjects from the society... I choose my heroes from the crowd. I mostly work with newcomers, but this doesn't mean that I don't want to work with professional ones," Majidi said at a press conference on the sidelines of IFFI. The director said he may work with an established actor in his career later but finds it tough because of the locations he shoots in. "It was tough to organise things on the sets with a big star. For one day, we organised auditions with Deepika. I remember it was difficult to manage things as people wanted to meet her and were very curious," he said. For Tara's character, played by Mohanan, Majidi said he was inspired by his travels in India. Deepika Padukone did audition for Majidi's film images of which went viral. (Zee News Network) × "In my films, locations have character as well. In this film, I have tried to find a character in the location, which was Mumbai. "I had travelled (across) India many times before making the film so that was my evaluation of a normal poverty-struck woman. In countries with large population, the possibility of women and children having social problems is more and that is was Tara is all about," he said. A still from Beyond The Clouds (Zee News Network) × The director is surprised by the popularity of his films India, particularly among youth. "It is a wonderful feeling when young generation says good things about my cinema. But at the same time, it is a huge responsibility on me." Beyond the Clouds, produced by Zee Studios and Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora of Namah Pictures, revolves around the life of a young brother-sister duo from Mumbai. For the film, Majidi collaborated with an Indian cast and crew. Director Vishal Bhardwaj has written the Hindi dialogues of the film.

Why Deepika Padukone was not included in Majid Majidi's 'Beyond The Clouds'

<p>BJP leader Suraj Pal Amu is at it again.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Haryana BJP media coordinator had earlier announced a Rs 10-crore bounty for anybody who beheaded Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and lead actress Deepika Padukone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajput groups have been agitating against the release of the movie</p>

<p>On Tuesday he said&nbsp;they would run a &quot;swachhta abhiyan&quot; (cleanliness campaign) in every single cinema hall in the country. And that the Rajputs and the country&#39;s youth had the power to set every single movie screen in the country on fire.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Hindustan ke saare cinema halls mein swachhta abhiyan chalaenge, ek-ek screen ko aag lagane ki takat rakhta hai Kshatriya samaj aur iss desh ka naujawan: Suraj Pal Amu, BJP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> <a href="https://t.co/cKmQXKzJwP">pic.twitter.com/cKmQXKzJwP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932894083755806720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Amu had been ordered by the BJP Monday to apologise for his offer of the bounty. The party had also issued him a show-cause notice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The offer of a bounty -- of Rs 5 crore -- had originally been made by a man from Meerut called Thakur Abhishek Som.&nbsp;</p>

<p>.Amu doubled the offer to Rs 10 crore during an Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha function in New Delhi on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amu reportedly also threatened to break actor Ranveer Singh&#39;s legs if he did not take back his words of support for the film and its director.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Suraj Pal Amu, the BJP's Haryana media coordinator, had earlier announced a Rs 10-crore bounty for anybody who beheaded Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and lead actress Deepika Padukone

BJP leader Suraj Pal Amu is at it again. The Haryana BJP media coordinator had earlier announced a Rs 10-crore bounty for anybody who beheaded Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and lead actress Deepika Padukone. Rajput groups have been agitating against the release of the movie On Tuesday he said they would run a "swachhta abhiyan" (cleanliness campaign) in every single cinema hall in the country. And that the Rajputs and the country's youth had the power to set every single movie screen in the country on fire. Hindustan ke saare cinema halls mein swachhta abhiyan chalaenge, ek-ek screen ko aag lagane ki takat rakhta hai Kshatriya samaj aur iss desh ka naujawan: Suraj Pal Amu, BJP #Padmavati pic.twitter.com/cKmQXKzJwP — ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2017 × Amu had been ordered by the BJP Monday to apologise for his offer of the bounty. The party had also issued him a show-cause notice. The offer of a bounty -- of Rs 5 crore -- had originally been made by a man from Meerut called Thakur Abhishek Som. .Amu doubled the offer to Rs 10 crore during an Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha function in New Delhi on Sunday. Amu reportedly also threatened to break actor Ranveer Singh's legs if he did not take back his words of support for the film and its director.

Kshatriya community can burn every single cinema screen: Haryana leader on Padmavati

<p>Sanjay Leela Bhansali perhaps could have never imagined that his magnum opus Padmavati would divide an entire country with contrasting opinions. &nbsp;Right from the time the filming of Padmavati began, there have been agitations around the film. In January Rajput Karni Sena, stormed the sets of the film, thrashed the director and vandalised the sets.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
While assurance from Bhansali productions came soon after that the film did not distort history or disrespect Rajput history in any manner, opposition against the film continued to grow.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Things took an ugly turn when the film&#39;s trailer released in October as protestors gained steam. While earlier the group had objected to an alleged dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji - which the makers assured did not exist- later the protestors claimed that the film distorted history.<br />
<br />
The protests in the past few weeks have gained momentum after various state governments also raised objection towards the film. While the release of the film has been deferred- it was earlier scheduled to release on December 1- many of the states have declared a ban on the film&#39;s screening.<br />
<br />
Here is a quick look at which of the states have opposed to&nbsp;</p>

<p>The protests began in <strong>Rajasthan</strong> back in January when Rajput Karni Sena vandalised the film&#39;s set. Later in September, Karni Sena&#39;s Lokendra Singh Kalvi reiterates that his organisation will oppose the film&#39;s screening if facts are &quot;distorted&quot;. Earlier in November, protest by the Karni Sena against the film picked up the pace in Rajasthan with a complete bandh observed in Chittorgarh. Now, the state CM Vasundhara Raje has stated that the film will not be released in the state until changes in the film are made.The Chief Minister had suggested that the film and its plot should be reviewed by a committee of renowned historians, film personalities, and representatives of society at large.<br />
Members of BJP wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking a ban on the release of the film in Gujarat in the wake of the assembly elections in the state. Expressing concern about distortion of history in the movie, the BJP leaders stated that CBFC should only release the film after the &#39;objectionable&#39; scenes are removed.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
In Noida,<strong> Uttar Pradesh</strong>, members of the Karni Sena had vandalised a cinema hall for screening the trailer of the film earlier this month. The UP Home Minister had even written a letter to the Censor board to consider the sentiments of the people before certifying the film. They feared if the film released it would affect the peace and harmony in the state. Now CM Yogi Adityanath has stated that the film will be not be screened in the state if the desired cuts are not made. &quot;Sentiments of the people of the state should not be hurt,&quot; reiterated Yogi.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Uttar Pradesh chief minister said his government&#39;s view on the Padmawati row has already been conveyed to India&#39;s information and Broadcasting minister Smriti Irani. (ANI)</p>
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<p>In <strong>Madhya Pradesh</strong>, the state CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared a ban on the film and stated that the decision was taken after he received requests from various Rajput groups appealing for a ban on the film&#39;s release.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir have also expressed concern over the film&#39;s content. <strong>Punjab</strong> Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has said, &quot;Nobody will accept the distortion of history and those who are protesting are rightly doing so.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana has also written to<strong> Jammu and Kashmir </strong>Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti asking her not to allow the release of the film until its contents have been verified.</p>

<p>In Coimbatore, <strong>Tamil Nadu</strong>, members of the Karni Sena staged a protest a few days back demanding a ban on the film&#39;s release in the state as they alleged the film distorted history.</p>

<p>Rajput communities in <strong>Bihar </strong>too have protested against the film.&nbsp; News of protest from Patna, Bhagalpur and Supaul have been reported.&nbsp;Bihar minister Jay Kumar Singh and BJP MLA Gayanu Singh, both from Rajput community, have extended their support&nbsp; to the protestors.</p>

<p>While most state CMS have opposed the film&#39;s release, <strong>West Bengal</strong> chief minister Mamata Banerjee has extended her support to Padmavati. On Monday, Banerjee took to Twitter to show her support for the film. Calling the controversy &#39;unfortunate&#39;, Banerjee stated that the film industry must come together and fight as one.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> controversy is not only unfortunate but also a calculated plan of a political party to destroy the freedom to express ourselves. We condemn this super emergency. All in the film industry must come together and protest in one voice</p>
&mdash; Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/932496407730126848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Echoing Ms. Banerjee&#39;s sentiments, the <strong>Karnataka </strong>government on Tuesday declared its support to the film. The film&#39;s leading lady Deepika Padukone belongs to the state and the government has stepped up security for Padukone&#39;s parents who reside in Bangalore. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar to take stringent action against those threatening Padukone for her role in the film.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I condemn the culture of intolerance and hate perpetuated by the BJP,&rdquo; Siddaramaiah tweeted. &ldquo;Karnataka stands with Deepika Padukone. She is a globally-renowned artist from our state.&rdquo;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I condemn the culture of intolerance &amp; hate perpetuated by <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> .<br />
<br />
Karnataka stands with <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deepikapadukone</a> .She is a globally renowned artist from our state.<br />
<br />
I call upon the CM of Haryana <a href="https://twitter.com/mlkhattar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mlkhattar</a> to take strict action against those holding out threats against her. <a href="https://t.co/d8rahml5MZ">https://t.co/d8rahml5MZ</a></p>
&mdash; Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/932504161005928448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


UP, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have asked for a ban on the release while Karnataka and West Bengal have extended support

Sanjay Leela Bhansali perhaps could have never imagined that his magnum opus Padmavati would divide an entire country with contrasting opinions. Right from the time the filming of Padmavati began, there have been agitations around the film. In January Rajput Karni Sena, stormed the sets of the film, thrashed the director and vandalised the sets. While assurance from Bhansali productions came soon after that the film did not distort history or disrespect Rajput history in any manner, opposition against the film continued to grow. Things took an ugly turn when the film's trailer released in October as protestors gained steam. While earlier the group had objected to an alleged dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji - which the makers assured did not exist- later the protestors claimed that the film distorted history. The protests in the past few weeks have gained momentum after various state governments also raised objection towards the film. While the release of the film has been deferred- it was earlier scheduled to release on December 1- many of the states have declared a ban on the film's screening. Here is a quick look at which of the states have opposed to The protests began in Rajasthan back in January when Rajput Karni Sena vandalised the film's set. Later in September, Karni Sena's Lokendra Singh Kalvi reiterates that his organisation will oppose the film's screening if facts are "distorted". Earlier in November, protest by the Karni Sena against the film picked up the pace in Rajasthan with a complete bandh observed in Chittorgarh. Now, the state CM Vasundhara Raje has stated that the film will not be released in the state until changes in the film are made.The Chief Minister had suggested that the film and its plot should be reviewed by a committee of renowned historians, film personalities, and representatives of society at large. Members of BJP wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking a ban on the release of the film in Gujarat in the wake of the assembly elections in the state. Expressing concern about distortion of history in the movie, the BJP leaders stated that CBFC should only release the film after the 'objectionable' scenes are removed. In Noida, Uttar Pradesh, members of the Karni Sena had vandalised a cinema hall for screening the trailer of the film earlier this month. The UP Home Minister had even written a letter to the Censor board to consider the sentiments of the people before certifying the film. They feared if the film released it would affect the peace and harmony in the state. Now CM Yogi Adityanath has stated that the film will be not be screened in the state if the desired cuts are not made. "Sentiments of the people of the state should not be hurt," reiterated Yogi. Uttar Pradesh chief minister said his government's view on the Padmawati row has already been conveyed to India's information and Broadcasting minister Smriti Irani. (ANI) × In Madhya Pradesh, the state CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared a ban on the film and stated that the decision was taken after he received requests from various Rajput groups appealing for a ban on the film's release. Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir have also expressed concern over the film's content. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has said, "Nobody will accept the distortion of history and those who are protesting are rightly doing so." Meanwhile, National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana has also written to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti asking her not to allow the release of the film until its contents have been verified. In Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, members of the Karni Sena staged a protest a few days back demanding a ban on the film's release in the state as they alleged the film distorted history. Rajput communities in Bihar too have protested against the film. News of protest from Patna, Bhagalpur and Supaul have been reported. Bihar minister Jay Kumar Singh and BJP MLA Gayanu Singh, both from Rajput community, have extended their support to the protestors. While most state CMS have opposed the film's release, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has extended her support to Padmavati. On Monday, Banerjee took to Twitter to show her support for the film. Calling the controversy 'unfortunate', Banerjee stated that the film industry must come together and fight as one. The #Padmavati controversy is not only unfortunate but also a calculated plan of a political party to destroy the freedom to express ourselves. We condemn this super emergency. All in the film industry must come together and protest in one voice — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 20, 2017 × Echoing Ms. Banerjee's sentiments, the Karnataka government on Tuesday declared its support to the film. The film's leading lady Deepika Padukone belongs to the state and the government has stepped up security for Padukone's parents who reside in Bangalore. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar to take stringent action against those threatening Padukone for her role in the film. “I condemn the culture of intolerance and hate perpetuated by the BJP,” Siddaramaiah tweeted. “Karnataka stands with Deepika Padukone. She is a globally-renowned artist from our state.” I condemn the culture of intolerance & hate perpetuated by @BJP4India . Karnataka stands with @deepikapadukone .She is a globally renowned artist from our state. I call upon the CM of Haryana @mlkhattar to take strict action against those holding out threats against her. https://t.co/d8rahml5MZ — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 20, 2017 ×

Padmavati: Various chief ministers speak for and against release

<p>A man from Gurugram on Tuesday filed an FIR against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suraj Pal Amu for his comments on actress Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the&nbsp;film &#39;Padmavati&#39;.</p>

<p>Earlier on Monday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) had written to the Haryana DGP seeking action against state BJP chief media coordinator Amu.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-condemns-member-who-offered-reward-for-padmavati-actress-deepika-padukones-head-24684">Amu had allegedly made derogatory remarks against &#39;Padmavati&#39; filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Deepika Padukone, and Ranveer Singh and had announced a reward of Rs&nbsp;10 crores for &quot;beheading&quot;&nbsp;the actress.</a></p>

<p>The NCW requested the DGP to look into the matter immediately and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.</p>

<p>It also asked the DGP&nbsp;to apprise the commission of appropriate action taken at the earliest.</p>

<p>The movie, starring actors Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajput-karni-sena-president-wont-let-padmavati-release-calls-for-bharat-bandh-on-dec-1-24505">including Shri Rajput Karni Sena(SRKS), for allegedly tampering with historical facts.</a></p>


A man from Gurugram on Tuesday filed an FIR against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suraj Pal Amu for his comments on actress Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali over film 'Padmavati'

A man from Gurugram on Tuesday filed an FIR against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suraj Pal Amu for his comments on actress Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the film 'Padmavati'. Earlier on Monday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) had written to the Haryana DGP seeking action against state BJP chief media coordinator Amu. Amu had allegedly made derogatory remarks against 'Padmavati' filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Deepika Padukone, and Ranveer Singh and had announced a reward of Rs 10 crores for "beheading" the actress. The NCW requested the DGP to look into the matter immediately and take appropriate action in accordance with the law. It also asked the DGP to apprise the commission of appropriate action taken at the earliest. The movie, starring actors Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups, including Shri Rajput Karni Sena(SRKS), for allegedly tampering with historical facts.

Padmavati row: Man files FIR against Suraj Pal Amu

<p>Known to speak his mind on raging issues, superstar Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to comment on the ongoing controversy around Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s <em>Padmavati</em>.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Haasan took to Twitter to condemn the protests and the threats that the film&#39;s director and its leading heroine, Deepika Padukone have received. Haasan tweeted, &quot; I want Ms.Deepika&#39;s head.. saved. Respect it more than her body.Even more her freedom. Do not deny her that.Many communities have apposed my films.Extremism in any debate is deplorable. Wake up cerebral India.Time to think. We&#39;ve said enough. Listen Ma Bharat(Sic).&quot;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I wantMs.Deepika&#39;s head.. saved. Respect it more than her body.Even more her freedom. Do not deny her that.Many communities have apposed my films.Extremism in any debate is deplorable. Wake up cerebral India.Time to think. We&#39;ve said enough. Listen Ma Bharat</p>
&mdash; Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ikamalhaasan/status/932655804922019840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Haasan&#39;s tweets was in reaction to Haryana BJP chief media coordinator Suraj Pal Amu&#39; s threat to the actress. Suraj announced a bounty of Rs 10 crore on the heads of Bhansali and Deepika. The comment was made after a Meerut resident from the Kshatriya community announced a reward of Rs 5 crore for beheading these celebrities.<br />
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Haasan&#39;s films&nbsp;have created a similar&nbsp;political storm in the past and the actor has always been vocal about the importance of cinema in society.&nbsp;<br />
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Back in 2013, his film <em>Vishwaroopam</em> was banned by the Tamil Nadu government after he was accused of showing the members of Muslim community in a bad light in the film. The allegations were made against his film even before watching it, similar to the <em>Padmavati</em> row. Haasan&#39;s <em>Hey Ram</em> also faced severe criticism as many felt it was anti-Gandhi.</p>


Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to comment on the ongoing controversy around Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati.?

Known to speak his mind on raging issues, superstar Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to comment on the ongoing controversy around Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati. Haasan took to Twitter to condemn the protests and the threats that the film's director and its leading heroine, Deepika Padukone have received. Haasan tweeted, " I want Ms.Deepika's head.. saved. Respect it more than her body.Even more her freedom. Do not deny her that.Many communities have apposed my films.Extremism in any debate is deplorable. Wake up cerebral India.Time to think. We've said enough. Listen Ma Bharat(Sic)." I wantMs.Deepika's head.. saved. Respect it more than her body.Even more her freedom. Do not deny her that.Many communities have apposed my films.Extremism in any debate is deplorable. Wake up cerebral India.Time to think. We've said enough. Listen Ma Bharat — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) November 20, 2017 × Haasan's tweets was in reaction to Haryana BJP chief media coordinator Suraj Pal Amu' s threat to the actress. Suraj announced a bounty of Rs 10 crore on the heads of Bhansali and Deepika. The comment was made after a Meerut resident from the Kshatriya community announced a reward of Rs 5 crore for beheading these celebrities. Haasan's films have created a similar political storm in the past and the actor has always been vocal about the importance of cinema in society. Back in 2013, his film Vishwaroopam was banned by the Tamil Nadu government after he was accused of showing the members of Muslim community in a bad light in the film. The allegations were made against his film even before watching it, similar to the Padmavati row. Haasan's Hey Ram also faced severe criticism as many felt it was anti-Gandhi.

Kamal Haasan on 'Padmavati' row: I want Deepika's head...saved

<p>Amid&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-controversy-protests-in-gujarat-maharashtra-24034"><em>Padmavati</em>&#39;&nbsp;</a>row, actress Deepika Padukone has decided not to attend the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ivanka-trump-to-be-a-part-of-the-global-entrepreneurship-summit-in-november-24166">Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) </a>to be&nbsp;held on November 28 in Hyderabad, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>US president&#39;s daughter Ivanka Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the high-profile two-day event with entrepreneurs from across the world set to attend the event.</p>

<p>The summit will be attended by thousands of entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem supporters from around the world which is themed &lsquo;Women First, Prosperity for All&rsquo;.</p>

<p>An official of the Telangana government informed on Monday that Deepika had withdrawn her name from the summit after confirming her participation earlier.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The star was supposed to address one of the sessions &#39;Hollywood to Nollywood to Bollywood: The Path to Moviemaking.&rsquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her reason to pull out of the summit remains unknown, reports stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Deepika is at the centre of the row&nbsp;surrounding her movie <em>Padmavati</em>&nbsp;with&nbsp;the Rajput Karni Sena threatening her over her depiction of the Rajput princess.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The summit will be attended by over a thousand entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem supporters from around the world which is themed &lsquo;Women First, Prosperity for All&rsquo;</p>


Her reason to pull out of the summit remains unknown, reports stated.?

Amid the Padmavati' row, actress Deepika Padukone has decided not to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) to be held on November 28 in Hyderabad, reports said. US president's daughter Ivanka Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the high-profile two-day event with entrepreneurs from across the world set to attend the event. The summit will be attended by thousands of entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem supporters from around the world which is themed ‘Women First, Prosperity for All’. An official of the Telangana government informed on Monday that Deepika had withdrawn her name from the summit after confirming her participation earlier. The star was supposed to address one of the sessions 'Hollywood to Nollywood to Bollywood: The Path to Moviemaking.’ Her reason to pull out of the summit remains unknown, reports stated. Deepika is at the centre of the row surrounding her movie Padmavati with the Rajput Karni Sena threatening her over her depiction of the Rajput princess. The summit will be attended by over a thousand entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem supporters from around the world which is themed ‘Women First, Prosperity for All’

Deepika Padukone withdraws from Global Entrepreneurship Summit amid 'Padmavati' row

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/dalveer-bhandari-re-elected-icj-judge-britain-pulls-out-24693">Dalveer Bhandari re-elected ICJ judge, Britain pulls out</a></p>

<p>Bhandari received 183-193 votes in the General Assembly and secured all the 15 votes in the Security Council after separate and simultaneous elections were held at the UN headquarters in New York.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/deepika-padukone-withdraws-from-global-entrepreneurship-summit-ges-amidst-padmavati-row-24692">Deepika Padukone withdraws from Global Entrepreneurship Summit amid &#39;Padmavati&#39; row</a></p>

<p>US president&#39;s daughter Ivanka Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the high-profile two-day event with entrepreneurs from across the world set to attend the event.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/declaring-north-korea-a-terrorist-state-should-have-happened-years-ago-trump-24695">Declaring North Korea a terrorist state should have happened years ago: Trump</a></p>

<p>Trump said the sanctions as a result of designating North Korea a terrorist state would lead to &quot;very large&quot; US Treasury sanctions that would eventually amount to a &quot;maximum pressure campaign.&quot;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-end-provisional-residency-protection-of-59000-haitians-24696">Haitians directed to leave </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-end-provisional-residency-protection-of-59000-haitians-24696">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-end-provisional-residency-protection-of-59000-haitians-24696"> within 18 months</a></p>

<p>Around 59,000 Haitians, living under the Temporary Residency Permit, have been asked to leave the United States within 18 months, the Trump administration announced.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-congress-releases-second-list-of-candidates-24694">Gujarat elections: Congress releases </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-congress-releases-second-list-of-candidates-24694">second</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-congress-releases-second-list-of-candidates-24694"> list of candidates</a></p>

<p>A day after Congress released the first list of candidates for the Gujarat assembly elections, the party on Monday came out with its second list.</p>


Around 59,000 Haitians, living under the Temporary Residency Permit, have been asked to leave the United States within 18 months

Dalveer Bhandari re-elected ICJ judge, Britain pulls out Bhandari received 183-193 votes in the General Assembly and secured all the 15 votes in the Security Council after separate and simultaneous elections were held at the UN headquarters in New York. Deepika Padukone withdraws from Global Entrepreneurship Summit amid 'Padmavati' row US president's daughter Ivanka Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the high-profile two-day event with entrepreneurs from across the world set to attend the event. Declaring North Korea a terrorist state should have happened years ago: Trump Trump said the sanctions as a result of designating North Korea a terrorist state would lead to "very large" US Treasury sanctions that would eventually amount to a "maximum pressure campaign." Haitians directed to leave US within 18 months Around 59,000 Haitians, living under the Temporary Residency Permit, have been asked to leave the United States within 18 months, the Trump administration announced. Gujarat elections: Congress releases second list of candidates A day after Congress released the first list of candidates for the Gujarat assembly elections, the party on Monday came out with its second list.

WION morning news brief, November 21, 2017

<p>Speaking for the first time since controversy around <em>Padmavati</em> broke out, actor Ranveer Singh said he is 200% with his film and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.&nbsp;<br />
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The actor said, &quot;I am 200% with the film and my director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, I have been asked not to say anything, whatever official stand is, you will get it from producers.It&#39;s a very sensitive issue.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Speaking for the first time since controversy around Padmavati broke out, actor Ranveer Singh said he is 200% with his film and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. (WION Web Team)</p>
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<p>Ranveer plays the character of Allaudin Khilji in the film. The film has been facing severe opposition from various groups and political leaders over its content.&nbsp;<br />
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Previously, on Monday, on the sidelines of IFFI 2017, Ranveer&#39;s co-star in the film Shahid Kapoor said, &quot;Our constitution says that you are innocent until proven guilty. Same should be extended to <em>Padmavati</em>, it should not be considered guilty even before it is provided for people to judge it.&quot;</p>


Ranveer plays the character of Allaudin Khilji in the film

Speaking for the first time since controversy around Padmavati broke out, actor Ranveer Singh said he is 200% with his film and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The actor said, "I am 200% with the film and my director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, I have been asked not to say anything, whatever official stand is, you will get it from producers.It's a very sensitive issue." Speaking for the first time since controversy around Padmavati broke out, actor Ranveer Singh said he is 200% with his film and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. (WION Web Team) × Ranveer plays the character of Allaudin Khilji in the film. The film has been facing severe opposition from various groups and political leaders over its content. Previously, on Monday, on the sidelines of IFFI 2017, Ranveer's co-star in the film Shahid Kapoor said, "Our constitution says that you are innocent until proven guilty. Same should be extended to Padmavati, it should not be considered guilty even before it is provided for people to judge it."

Ranveer Singh on Padmavati: I am 200% with Sanjay Leela Bhansali

<p>Shahid Kapoor on Monday categorically stated people should not be judging <em>Padmavati </em>without watching the film. The actor walked the red carpet at the opening ceremony of IFFI 2017 in Goa and spoke to media about the controversy around <em>Padmavati.&nbsp;&nbsp;</em><br />
<br />
&quot;Our constitution says that you are innocent until proven guilty. Same should be extended to <em>Padmavati</em>, it should not be considered guilty even before it is provided for people to judge it,&quot; the actor said.<br />
<br />
Shahid said stopping the release of the film would set a precedent which he would not be &quot;proud&quot; of, adding that he had to suffer a similar ordeal with his earlier film Udta Punjab.<br />
<br />
&quot;It will be a precedent which I am not proud of if the film finds it difficult to release... I went through a similar process in <em>Udta Punjab</em>,&quot; Kapoor told reporters at IFFI.<br />
<br />
&quot;I don&#39;t think there is anything in the film that is unacceptable or that is not in good taste. Eventually, <em>Padmavati</em> will come out and in full force,&quot; the actor added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our constitution says that you are innocent until proven guilty. Same should be extended to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a>, it should not be considered guilty even before it is provided for people to judge it: Shahid Kapoor <a href="https://t.co/8D7YDJpOWN">pic.twitter.com/8D7YDJpOWN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932569850316169217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi stated that the matter had to be resolved by dialogue and not by arguing over it. &quot;We are trying to follow processes. Instead of arguments, attempts are being made to have a dialogue on the issue.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Vivaad ki jagah vichaar-vimarsh ki aavshyakta hai: Prasoon Joshi, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Hu6QlFnep">pic.twitter.com/7Hu6QlFnep</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932571983107186688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The board, on Saturday, sent back the film without certifying&nbsp;it citing the makers had not completed documentation process properly.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Shahid and Prasoon Joshi spoke about the controversy around Padmavati at the inaugural function of IFFI 2017

Shahid Kapoor on Monday categorically stated people should not be judging Padmavati without watching the film. The actor walked the red carpet at the opening ceremony of IFFI 2017 in Goa and spoke to media about the controversy around Padmavati. "Our constitution says that you are innocent until proven guilty. Same should be extended to Padmavati, it should not be considered guilty even before it is provided for people to judge it," the actor said. Shahid said stopping the release of the film would set a precedent which he would not be "proud" of, adding that he had to suffer a similar ordeal with his earlier film Udta Punjab. "It will be a precedent which I am not proud of if the film finds it difficult to release... I went through a similar process in Udta Punjab," Kapoor told reporters at IFFI. "I don't think there is anything in the film that is unacceptable or that is not in good taste. Eventually, Padmavati will come out and in full force," the actor added. Our constitution says that you are innocent until proven guilty. Same should be extended to #Padmavati, it should not be considered guilty even before it is provided for people to judge it: Shahid Kapoor pic.twitter.com/8D7YDJpOWN — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi stated that the matter had to be resolved by dialogue and not by arguing over it. "We are trying to follow processes. Instead of arguments, attempts are being made to have a dialogue on the issue." Vivaad ki jagah vichaar-vimarsh ki aavshyakta hai: Prasoon Joshi, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson #Padmavati pic.twitter.com/7Hu6QlFnep — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × The board, on Saturday, sent back the film without certifying it citing the makers had not completed documentation process properly.

Watch it, then judge Padmavati: Shahid Kapoor

<p>The controversy around the film Padmavati refuses to die down. Even without waiting for the Censor Board&#39;s decision on the film, the Madhya Pradesh government has banned it today. This was preceded by weeks of violent protest by the Karni Sena, a Rajput caste organisation who claims to uphold the goal of national unity.</p>

<p>The members went so far as to issue physical threats against both Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone, the director and heroine respectively. The jealous defenders of Rajput pride and Hindu nationalism consider the film to be inappropriate. The allegation is the film has a scene where the famed Rajput sati-queen is shown to be dancing in front of the brutal Muslim invader Alauddin Khalji.</p>

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<h5>It was a very common practise among the nationalists of the Swadeshi Age to eulogise Rani Padmini and other Rajput/Maratha icons who resisted Muslims as national heroes and defenders of Indian tradition.</h5>
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<p>The repeated denials issued by Sanjay so far has failed to pacify the agitators. Consequently, the producers of Padmavati has decided to postpone the release date of the film.</p>

<p>Whereas those protesting the immoral portrayal of Padmavati feel all righteous about their celebrated cause, there are many in India who doesn&#39;t see how such a hullabaloo can be created over the celluloid portrayal of a mythical character. The latter are annoyed with such display of intolerance and goes on to blame the Indian government for the lack of support it has shown so far to defend Deepika and Sanjay.</p>

<p>Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has taken a strong stand today, issuing a clarion call in support of boycotting IFFI. Incidentally, India&#39;s most prestigious film festival is scheduled to be inaugurated today at Goa.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The entire film industry should boycott IFFI in protest against the threats to <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deepikapadukone</a> SLB and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> <a href="https://t.co/VckVB5yRJp">https://t.co/VckVB5yRJp</a></p>
&mdash; Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) <a href="https://twitter.com/AzmiShabana/status/931762168327946240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>As the nation awaits this violence and vandalism around Padmavati to wane quickly, the intensity of the responses of those who felt that Padmavati has been dishonoured in the film needs closer probing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Why are so many people riled up? Even the state governments are not showing restraint as it clear from Madhya Pradesh&#39;s decision to ban the film even before its release. Honestly, this kind of response from one or the other of the BJP-ruled state was not entirely unexpected because of the prudish line they have taken in the past. But what they are saying in defense of their action is what I find reprehensible.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>:Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan says the film which has distorted facts against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a>, will not be released in the state <a href="https://t.co/NOBXj6WF3P">pic.twitter.com/NOBXj6WF3P</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932521044325277696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>First of all, the 50 BJP MLAs who have lodged their resentment against the movie have not seen the movie. They have, in fact, demanded, a &#39;thorough&#39; screening of the movie before it is released. And what is the basis of their demand? The protesting MLAs are against any &#39;distortion of historical facts&#39;.</p>

<p>So far, all articulations that Padmavati is most possibly a mythical figure, the subject of poems and songs of local bards who drew inspiration from Sufi poet Muhammad Jayasi&#39;s work has fallen on deaf ears. The Higher Education Minister of Madhya Pradesh, who ought to have known better, has also pointed out that Padmavati was &quot;not only a queen but a symbol of Jauhar&quot;.</p>

<p>The replacement of history by myth is a pretty old practise in India. In the days of anti-colonial struggle, such historicisation of myth served the purpose of inspiring a nascent national community to structure its identity around few chosen icons. These icons, mostly culled from Hindu past, were historically shown to put up a resistance against Muslim tyranny.</p>

<p>Thus, when Rabindranath Tagore&#39;s nephew, the famous artist Abanindranath Tagore wrote Rajkahini, he portrayed Padmavati (Rani Padmini) as the heart and soul of Rajput resistance against the treacherous attack of Alauddin Khalji.</p>

<p>It was a very common practise among the nationalists of the Swadeshi Age to eulogise Rani Padmini and other Rajput and Maratha icons who resisted Muslims as national heroes and defenders of Indian tradition. Thus, Padmini was simply transported from the pages of fiction and given a new lease of life as historical figures of flesh and blood.</p>

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<h5>If Padmavati was a symbol of resistance for the anti-colonialist firebrand youths of India, she has transformed into a revered symbol of chastity and womanhood under the current political regime.</h5>
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<p>In their struggle against the oppressive colonial regime, the inspiring Sannyasi rebels of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay&#39;s Anandamath as well as Rani Padmini provided the young revolutionary nationalists a moral and ideological sustenance.</p>

<p>If Padmavati was a symbol of resistance for the anti-colonialist firebrand youths of India, she has transformed into a revered symbol of chastity and womanhood under the current political regime.</p>

<p>In the current time when the fervour of nationalism runs rather high, the ideologically conservative camp and its many constituent groups are hellbent on creating a sacrosanct image of India where the line between myth and history are purposefully kept blurred to serve the political purpose. In the name of cultural nationalism, we are harping on the glory of being a woman of chastity.</p>

<p>All Hindu woman, to be counted as a Hindu woman, needs to be virtuous. The litmus test of virtue, as we all know, is self-sacrifice in face of dishonour as have been done by Sita, by Padmini.</p>

<p>Within this moral trope, Padmavati&#39;s observance of <em>jauhar</em><em> </em><em>vrata</em> becomes an act of resistance against lustful Muslim men. Padmini fought the invaders with her body through sacrificing it. The sacrifice makes Padmini holy, her body becomes the site where chastity and patriotism become perfectly blended. How can such a body, which is an embodiment of a defiant spirit, succumb to earthly pleasure. Such (human) being can&#39;t dance, can&#39;t seek pleasure, can&#39;t cringe in pain.</p>

<p>It is, therefore, redundant to ask whether Rani Padmavati historically existed or not. She has become, for all intent purpose, a symbol. The universal symbol of all chaste Hindu women. That is the reason Padmavati shall not dance. Not even in a celluloid dream sequence.</p>


Padmavati is a universal symbol of all chaste Hindu women. That is the reason Padmavati shall not dance.

The controversy around the film Padmavati refuses to die down. Even without waiting for the Censor Board's decision on the film, the Madhya Pradesh government has banned it today. This was preceded by weeks of violent protest by the Karni Sena, a Rajput caste organisation who claims to uphold the goal of national unity. The members went so far as to issue physical threats against both Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone, the director and heroine respectively. The jealous defenders of Rajput pride and Hindu nationalism consider the film to be inappropriate. The allegation is the film has a scene where the famed Rajput sati-queen is shown to be dancing in front of the brutal Muslim invader Alauddin Khalji. It was a very common practise among the nationalists of the Swadeshi Age to eulogise Rani Padmini and other Rajput/Maratha icons who resisted Muslims as national heroes and defenders of Indian tradition. × The repeated denials issued by Sanjay so far has failed to pacify the agitators. Consequently, the producers of Padmavati has decided to postpone the release date of the film. Whereas those protesting the immoral portrayal of Padmavati feel all righteous about their celebrated cause, there are many in India who doesn't see how such a hullabaloo can be created over the celluloid portrayal of a mythical character. The latter are annoyed with such display of intolerance and goes on to blame the Indian government for the lack of support it has shown so far to defend Deepika and Sanjay. Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has taken a strong stand today, issuing a clarion call in support of boycotting IFFI. Incidentally, India's most prestigious film festival is scheduled to be inaugurated today at Goa. The entire film industry should boycott IFFI in protest against the threats to @deepikapadukone SLB and #Padmavati https://t.co/VckVB5yRJp — Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 18, 2017 × As the nation awaits this violence and vandalism around Padmavati to wane quickly, the intensity of the responses of those who felt that Padmavati has been dishonoured in the film needs closer probing. Why are so many people riled up? Even the state governments are not showing restraint as it clear from Madhya Pradesh's decision to ban the film even before its release. Honestly, this kind of response from one or the other of the BJP-ruled state was not entirely unexpected because of the prudish line they have taken in the past. But what they are saying in defense of their action is what I find reprehensible. #WATCH:Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan says the film which has distorted facts against #Padmavati, will not be released in the state pic.twitter.com/NOBXj6WF3P — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × First of all, the 50 BJP MLAs who have lodged their resentment against the movie have not seen the movie. They have, in fact, demanded, a 'thorough' screening of the movie before it is released. And what is the basis of their demand? The protesting MLAs are against any 'distortion of historical facts'. So far, all articulations that Padmavati is most possibly a mythical figure, the subject of poems and songs of local bards who drew inspiration from Sufi poet Muhammad Jayasi's work has fallen on deaf ears. The Higher Education Minister of Madhya Pradesh, who ought to have known better, has also pointed out that Padmavati was "not only a queen but a symbol of Jauhar". The replacement of history by myth is a pretty old practise in India. In the days of anti-colonial struggle, such historicisation of myth served the purpose of inspiring a nascent national community to structure its identity around few chosen icons. These icons, mostly culled from Hindu past, were historically shown to put up a resistance against Muslim tyranny. Thus, when Rabindranath Tagore's nephew, the famous artist Abanindranath Tagore wrote Rajkahini, he portrayed Padmavati (Rani Padmini) as the heart and soul of Rajput resistance against the treacherous attack of Alauddin Khalji. It was a very common practise among the nationalists of the Swadeshi Age to eulogise Rani Padmini and other Rajput and Maratha icons who resisted Muslims as national heroes and defenders of Indian tradition. Thus, Padmini was simply transported from the pages of fiction and given a new lease of life as historical figures of flesh and blood. If Padmavati was a symbol of resistance for the anti-colonialist firebrand youths of India, she has transformed into a revered symbol of chastity and womanhood under the current political regime. × In their struggle against the oppressive colonial regime, the inspiring Sannyasi rebels of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's Anandamath as well as Rani Padmini provided the young revolutionary nationalists a moral and ideological sustenance. If Padmavati was a symbol of resistance for the anti-colonialist firebrand youths of India, she has transformed into a revered symbol of chastity and womanhood under the current political regime. In the current time when the fervour of nationalism runs rather high, the ideologically conservative camp and its many constituent groups are hellbent on creating a sacrosanct image of India where the line between myth and history are purposefully kept blurred to serve the political purpose. In the name of cultural nationalism, we are harping on the glory of being a woman of chastity. All Hindu woman, to be counted as a Hindu woman, needs to be virtuous. The litmus test of virtue, as we all know, is self-sacrifice in face of dishonour as have been done by Sita, by Padmini. Within this moral trope, Padmavati's observance of jauhar vrata becomes an act of resistance against lustful Muslim men. Padmini fought the invaders with her body through sacrificing it. The sacrifice makes Padmini holy, her body becomes the site where chastity and patriotism become perfectly blended. How can such a body, which is an embodiment of a defiant spirit, succumb to earthly pleasure. Such (human) being can't dance, can't seek pleasure, can't cringe in pain. It is, therefore, redundant to ask whether Rani Padmavati historically existed or not. She has become, for all intent purpose, a symbol. The universal symbol of all chaste Hindu women. That is the reason Padmavati shall not dance. Not even in a celluloid dream sequence.

Rani Padmavati shall not dance. But why?

<p>The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea filed by a senior lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma seeking direction to delete certain objectionable scenes from the movie, <em>Padmavati.</em><br />
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The court has categorically refused to interfere with censor board&#39;s matter.&nbsp;<br />
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In the plea filed on Friday, Sharma also sought prosecution of the filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Supreme Court refuses to interfere in the matter of film <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a>&#39;s release. The court was hearing a plea filed by a lawyer and stated, &#39;we cannot interfere with CBFC&#39;s work&#39; <a href="https://t.co/vH6N3iUErd">pic.twitter.com/vH6N3iUErd</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932560875088576513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier on November 10, the Supreme Court rejected the petition filed against the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s magnum opus <em>Padmavati</em>, saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has not yet issued a certificate to the movie.<br />
<br />
The film has been embroiled in a spate of controversies ever since its inception.The period drama starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor has been facing protests from various communal groups, including Shree Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering historical facts.&nbsp;</p>


The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea filed by a senior lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma seeking direction to delete certain objectionable scenes from the movie, Padmavati

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea filed by a senior lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma seeking direction to delete certain objectionable scenes from the movie, Padmavati. The court has categorically refused to interfere with censor board's matter. In the plea filed on Friday, Sharma also sought prosecution of the filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Supreme Court refuses to interfere in the matter of film #Padmavati's release. The court was hearing a plea filed by a lawyer and stated, 'we cannot interfere with CBFC's work' pic.twitter.com/vH6N3iUErd — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × Earlier on November 10, the Supreme Court rejected the petition filed against the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s magnum opus Padmavati, saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has not yet issued a certificate to the movie. The film has been embroiled in a spate of controversies ever since its inception.The period drama starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor has been facing protests from various communal groups, including Shree Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering historical facts.

Supreme Court refuses to intervene in Padmavati release, says cannot 'interfere with CBFC's work'

<p>Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has come out in support of people who are protesting against the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed &#39;Padmavati&#39;.</p>

<p>&quot;Nobody will accept&nbsp;distortion of history and those who are protesting are rightly doing so,&quot; Amarinder said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nobody will accept distortion of history and those who are protesting are rightly doing so: Capt Amarinder Singh,Punjab CM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> <a href="https://t.co/rkk7udI5Kf">pic.twitter.com/rkk7udI5Kf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932527319284977664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also announced Monday that the movie would not be released in his state since it distorted history.</p>

<p>National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana&nbsp;has also written to Jammu and Kashmir&nbsp;Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti asking her not to allow the release of the film unitl its contents have been verified.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana writes to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti asking not to allow release of film <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> in the state till the film&#39;s contents are verified <a href="https://t.co/g7e8POrKQo">pic.twitter.com/g7e8POrKQo</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932527709040795648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Historians however say Rani Padmavati or Padmini of Chittor is not a historical figure.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She is a literary character first appearing in a book of poetry -- Padmavat&nbsp;-- written in 1540 by the Sufi poet&nbsp;Malik Muhammad Jayasi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is no historical record of her having ever existed.&nbsp;</p>


'Nobody will accept?distortion of history and those who are protesting are rightly doing so,' said Amarinder

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has come out in support of people who are protesting against the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed 'Padmavati'. "Nobody will accept distortion of history and those who are protesting are rightly doing so," Amarinder said. Nobody will accept distortion of history and those who are protesting are rightly doing so: Capt Amarinder Singh,Punjab CM #Padmavati pic.twitter.com/rkk7udI5Kf — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also announced Monday that the movie would not be released in his state since it distorted history. National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana has also written to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti asking her not to allow the release of the film unitl its contents have been verified. National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana writes to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti asking not to allow release of film #Padmavati in the state till the film's contents are verified pic.twitter.com/g7e8POrKQo — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × Historians however say Rani Padmavati or Padmini of Chittor is not a historical figure. She is a literary character first appearing in a book of poetry -- Padmavat -- written in 1540 by the Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. There is no historical record of her having ever existed.

Padmavati row: Amarinder Singh says those 'protesting are rightly doing so'

<p>In a fresh blow to the makers of <em>Padmavati</em>, the Central Board of Film Certification has turned down the application that they had sent seeking to expedite certification process of the movie.&nbsp;<br />
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On November 16th, CBFC had sent back the film without certifying it citing &#39;technical issues&#39; with the film. The film was earlier scheduled to release on December 1, but the release date of the film has been deferred.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Monday, CBFC turned down the plea of Padmavati makers and said that the movie will be reviewed and certified as per set norms of following chronological order of all applications.<br />
<br />
Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-now-shivraj-singh-chuahan-bans-the-film-in-madhya-pradesh-24645"> Madhya Pradesh government bans the screening of Padmavati in the state</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FLASH</a> Central Board of Film Certification turns down application by makers of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> seeking to expedite Certification process of the movie <a href="https://t.co/zlRjHOwtTe">pic.twitter.com/zlRjHOwtTe</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932511442707685382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Turning down plea of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> makers, CBFC said that the movie will be reviewed and certified as per set norms of following chronological order of all applications.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932511658911469568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Saturday, CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi had expressed his disappointment after the makers held a private screening of the film for select members of the media without a valid certificate.&nbsp;The film has been facing a lot of opposition from various state governments and Rajput outfits over depicting wrong facts in the film.&nbsp;</p>


In a fresh blow to the makers of Padmavati, the Central Board of Film Certification has turned down the application that they had sent seeking to expedite certification process of the movie. On November 16th, CBFC had sent back the film without certifying it citing 'technical issues' with the film. The film was earlier scheduled to release on December 1, but the release date of the film has been deferred. On Monday, CBFC turned down the plea of Padmavati makers and said that the movie will be reviewed and certified as per set norms of following chronological order of all applications. Also read: Madhya Pradesh government bans the screening of Padmavati in the state #FLASH Central Board of Film Certification turns down application by makers of #Padmavati seeking to expedite Certification process of the movie pic.twitter.com/zlRjHOwtTe — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × Turning down plea of #Padmavati makers, CBFC said that the movie will be reviewed and certified as per set norms of following chronological order of all applications. — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × On Saturday, CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi had expressed his disappointment after the makers held a private screening of the film for select members of the media without a valid certificate. The film has been facing a lot of opposition from various state governments and Rajput outfits over depicting wrong facts in the film.

Padmavati row: CBFC rejects application to expedite certification process

<p>The Supreme Court on Monday will hear a plea filed by a senior lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma seeking direction to delete certain objectionable scenes from the movie, <em>Padmavati</em>.&nbsp;In the plea filed on Friday, Sharma also sought prosecution of the filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.</p>

<p>Earlier on November 10, the Supreme Court rejected the petition filed against the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s magnum opus <em>Padmavati</em>, saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has not yet issued a certificate to the movie.</p>

<p>The film has been embroiled in a spate of controversies ever since its inception.The period drama starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor has been facing protests from various communal groups, including Shree Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering historical facts.&nbsp;</p>


The Supreme Court on Monday will hear a plea filed by senior lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma seeking direction to delete certain objectionable scenes from the movie.

The Supreme Court on Monday will hear a plea filed by a senior lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma seeking direction to delete certain objectionable scenes from the movie, Padmavati. In the plea filed on Friday, Sharma also sought prosecution of the filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Earlier on November 10, the Supreme Court rejected the petition filed against the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s magnum opus Padmavati, saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has not yet issued a certificate to the movie. The film has been embroiled in a spate of controversies ever since its inception.The period drama starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor has been facing protests from various communal groups, including Shree Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering historical facts.

Padmavati row: SC to hear plea against makers to remove ''objectionable'' content

<p>The BJP leader who offered a Rs 10-crore bounty to anybody who beheaded Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone, who plays the title role in the film, has been ordered by his party to apologise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reuters reported that Sural Pal Amu, the Harayana BJP&#39;s media coordinator has been ordered to apologise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PTI reported that the BJP had issued a show-cause notice to Amu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The offer of a bounty -- of Rs 5 crore -- had originally been made by a man from Meerut called Thakur Abhishek Som.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amu doubled the offer to Rs 10 crore during an Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha function in New Delhi on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI reported him as saying: &quot;Want to congratulate Meerut youth for announcing Rs 5 crore bounty for beheading Deepika, Bhansali, We will reward the ones beheading them with Rs 10 crore, and also take care of their family&#39;s needs.&quot;</p>

<p>Amu reportedly also threatened to break actor Ranveer Singh&#39;s legs if he did not take back his words of support for the film and its director.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Singh plays Allaudin Khalji in the film.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There have been massive protests against the release of the film Padmavati.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajput and Hindu groups say the film distorts history, and depicts a Muslim invader (Allaudi Khalji, sultan of Delhi) as the hero, and the Rana of Chittor and his queen (Padmavati) as victims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The movie&#39;s makers have finally decided to delay the release of the film &quot;voluntarily&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-producers-postpone-films-release-24582">&#39;Padmavati&#39; row: Producers postpone film&#39;s release; protests intensify </a></p>

<p>Historians however say that Padmavati never existed. She was not a&nbsp;historical figure but a literary character.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They point out that Khalji invaded and defeated Chittor in 1303 -- but that the first mention of Padmavati is made in a book of poems written in 1520 by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is no record of her having existed before that.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-plea-rejected-sc-refuses-to-interfere-in-cbfcs-matter-24660">Supreme Court refuses to intervene in Padmavati release, says cannot &#39;interfere with CBFC&#39;s work&#39; </a></p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp; <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-punjab-cm-says-those-who-are-protesting-are-rightly-doing-so-24652">On Padmavati&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-punjab-cm-says-those-who-are-protesting-are-rightly-doing-so-24652">protest</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-punjab-cm-says-those-who-are-protesting-are-rightly-doing-so-24652"> Amarinder Singh says those &#39;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-punjab-cm-says-those-who-are-protesting-are-rightly-doing-so-24652">protesting</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-punjab-cm-says-those-who-are-protesting-are-rightly-doing-so-24652"> are rightly doing so&#39;</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The offer was made by Haryana BJP media coordinator Suraj Pal Amu

The BJP leader who offered a Rs 10-crore bounty to anybody who beheaded Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone, who plays the title role in the film, has been ordered by his party to apologise. Reuters reported that Sural Pal Amu, the Harayana BJP's media coordinator has been ordered to apologise. PTI reported that the BJP had issued a show-cause notice to Amu. The offer of a bounty -- of Rs 5 crore -- had originally been made by a man from Meerut called Thakur Abhishek Som. Amu doubled the offer to Rs 10 crore during an Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha function in New Delhi on Sunday. ANI reported him as saying: "Want to congratulate Meerut youth for announcing Rs 5 crore bounty for beheading Deepika, Bhansali, We will reward the ones beheading them with Rs 10 crore, and also take care of their family's needs." Amu reportedly also threatened to break actor Ranveer Singh's legs if he did not take back his words of support for the film and its director. Singh plays Allaudin Khalji in the film. There have been massive protests against the release of the film Padmavati. Rajput and Hindu groups say the film distorts history, and depicts a Muslim invader (Allaudi Khalji, sultan of Delhi) as the hero, and the Rana of Chittor and his queen (Padmavati) as victims. The movie's makers have finally decided to delay the release of the film "voluntarily". Also read: 'Padmavati' row: Producers postpone film's release; protests intensify Historians however say that Padmavati never existed. She was not a historical figure but a literary character. They point out that Khalji invaded and defeated Chittor in 1303 -- but that the first mention of Padmavati is made in a book of poems written in 1520 by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. There is no record of her having existed before that. Also read: Supreme Court refuses to intervene in Padmavati release, says cannot 'interfere with CBFC's work' Also read: On Padmavati protest Amarinder Singh says those 'protesting are rightly doing so'

Rs 10-crore bounty to behead Bhansali, Deepika: BJP orders its leader who made offer to apologise

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-all-that-has-happened-so-far-24378"><em>Padmavati</em>&nbsp;controversy</a> has gripped the nation. As various Rajput communities raise objection and issue threats to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone, the actress herself appears to be calm amid all the chaos.</p>

<p>In an interview with DNA&#39;s Meena Iyer, Padukone stated that despite the threats, she has full faith in the country&#39;s judicial system.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Padukone&#39;s security has been beefed up in the wake of the death threats she has received. When asked how affected she has been due to the controversy, the actress said, &quot;as a woman, as an artiste, as someone who has worked and given two years of my life to this movie, I feel hurt, I feel angry, but I also think it is extremely funny that people are reacting like this to a film. &nbsp;I am feeling so many emotions at this point.&rsquo;&rsquo;<br />
<br />
Despite the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-rajput-karni-sena-protests-outside-chittorgarh-fort-24434">protest</a>, Padukone is a firm believer that nothing will go wrong and that the film will reach the audience on December 1. &quot;There is a fraction out there who is doing what it is.I know no wrong will be done.&rsquo;&rsquo;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbfc-returns-padmavati-to-makers-says-application-incomplete-24482" target="_blank">CBFC returns &#39;Padmavati&#39;, says application &#39;incomplete&#39;&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The actress who recently completed 10 years in the film industry states that <em>Padmavati </em>marks an evolution of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and her relationship as a director and an artiste. &quot;It takes a lot of trust and transparency, agreements and disagreements to reach a stage with your director, where we can both look into each other&rsquo;s eyes and we know what the other person is thinking or feeling without having to say anything.&quot;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Incidentally, when Padukone made her debut in Farah Khan&#39;s <em>Om Shanti Om </em>in 2007, it clashed at the box office with Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s <em>Saawariya</em>. &quot;At that point, I never believed that I could be his heroine. I didn&rsquo;t think I was his type; whatever that type is. &nbsp;These were all thoughts/assumptions in my own head. Sanjay has never said anything of the sort to me. &nbsp;But I just had my own assumptions. &nbsp;Today we have completed three films&mdash;<em>Goliyon Ki Raas</em> <em>Leela Ram Leela</em> (2013), <em>Bajirao Mastani</em>(2015) and <em>Padmavati</em>(2017) together. &nbsp;I cannot tell you how grateful I am to Sanjay for giving me this film. To give me this film and to present me in the way that he has, &nbsp;`grateful&rsquo; is a very small word,&quot; said the actress.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Padukone recalled that the posters of <em>Padmavati</em> also evoked a lot of emotions in her. &quot; The posters are extraordinary. It is my own special moment as an actor. Whatever little that we are seeing is for me some of the most memorable moments of my life on a film set. &nbsp;In my opinion, Padmavati, especially in 3D will be an experience worth savouring. It is much more than just a film.&quot;<br />
<br />
Padukone also revealed that the film took away two years of her life and that she sacrificed on good roles and family life to be a part of Bhansali&#39;s project. But Padukone does not regret it. Instead, she said, it was all worth it. &quot; When I see the result it is all worth it. &nbsp;For me, it has never been about how films of mine will release in a year. &nbsp;Those films must be meaningful and they must impact.&quot;<br />
<br />
<em>Padmavati</em> also features Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor along with Padukone and is scheduled to release on December 1.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read the full interview on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-dna-after-hours-exclusive-i-have-full-faith-in-our-judicial-system-says-deepika-padukone-on-padmavati-row-2560706">DNA here.&nbsp;</a><br />
&nbsp;</p>


In an exclusive interview to DNA, the actress explained that she had full faith the country's judicial system

The Padmavati controversy has gripped the nation. As various Rajput communities raise objection and issue threats to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone, the actress herself appears to be calm amid all the chaos. In an interview with DNA's Meena Iyer, Padukone stated that despite the threats, she has full faith in the country's judicial system. Padukone's security has been beefed up in the wake of the death threats she has received. When asked how affected she has been due to the controversy, the actress said, "as a woman, as an artiste, as someone who has worked and given two years of my life to this movie, I feel hurt, I feel angry, but I also think it is extremely funny that people are reacting like this to a film. I am feeling so many emotions at this point.’’ Despite the protest, Padukone is a firm believer that nothing will go wrong and that the film will reach the audience on December 1. "There is a fraction out there who is doing what it is.I know no wrong will be done.’’ Also read: CBFC returns 'Padmavati', says application 'incomplete' The actress who recently completed 10 years in the film industry states that Padmavati marks an evolution of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and her relationship as a director and an artiste. "It takes a lot of trust and transparency, agreements and disagreements to reach a stage with your director, where we can both look into each other’s eyes and we know what the other person is thinking or feeling without having to say anything." Incidentally, when Padukone made her debut in Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om in 2007, it clashed at the box office with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya. "At that point, I never believed that I could be his heroine. I didn’t think I was his type; whatever that type is. These were all thoughts/assumptions in my own head. Sanjay has never said anything of the sort to me. But I just had my own assumptions. Today we have completed three films—Goliyon Ki Raas Leela Ram Leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani(2015) and Padmavati(2017) together. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to Sanjay for giving me this film. To give me this film and to present me in the way that he has, `grateful’ is a very small word," said the actress. Padukone recalled that the posters of Padmavati also evoked a lot of emotions in her. " The posters are extraordinary. It is my own special moment as an actor. Whatever little that we are seeing is for me some of the most memorable moments of my life on a film set. In my opinion, Padmavati, especially in 3D will be an experience worth savouring. It is much more than just a film." Padukone also revealed that the film took away two years of her life and that she sacrificed on good roles and family life to be a part of Bhansali's project. But Padukone does not regret it. Instead, she said, it was all worth it. " When I see the result it is all worth it. For me, it has never been about how films of mine will release in a year. Those films must be meaningful and they must impact." Padmavati also features Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor along with Padukone and is scheduled to release on December 1. Read the full interview on DNA here.

Deepika Padukone on Padmavati row: Hurt and angry but I know no wrong will be done

<p>As the release of the movie <em>Padmavati </em>draws nearer, the protest against it has also mounted up.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
In its wake, Uttar Pradesh`s Home Department has written to the secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, urging it to convey the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of the adverse impact of the protests on peace and harmony.<br />
<br />
The letter also appeals for the certification board to take public sentiments into cognizance while granting a certificate to the movie.<br />
<br />
The movie`s December 1 release date also coincides with the counting of votes in the Uttar Pradesh local body elections, while the Islamic festival of Milad-un-Nabi is likely to fall on December 2, which is marked by large processions by the community.<br />
<br />
In light of both events, the ministry also suggested that the movie`s release around the same time would not be in the interests of peace and order.<br />
<br />
The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups, including Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts.The Karni Sena had earlier demolished the sets of the movie in Jaipur and also thrashed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.<br />
<br />
The Karni Sena activists have amped up the act by staging protests in various parts of the country, covering Bangalore in the South as well. The protests have turned even more violent, as acts of vandalism in Rajasthan`s Kota were reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, The Rajasthan Police on Thursday said that the people protesting against Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s movie <em>Padmavati</em>&nbsp;should not take law and order into their hands.&quot;The protesters can stage demonstrations peacefully and can keep their demands in front but that all should be under law and order. We will take proper action if any situation violating law and order arises. Presently, the situation is under control. We will make a strategy if needed and are ready for any upcoming situation,&quot; Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) Ajit Singh told ANI.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi warned of dire consequences if the release of <em>Padmavati</em>&nbsp;was not stalled.Speaking to ANI, Kalvi said, &quot;<em>Jauhar ki </em><em>jwala</em><em> hai, </em><em>bahut</em><em> </em><em>kuch</em><em> </em><em>jalega</em><em>. Rok </em><em>sako</em><em> to rok lo </em>(a lot will burn, stop if you can).&quot;<br />
<br />
Earlier, the Supreme Court had rejected a petition filed against the release of <em>Padmavati</em>, saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was yet to issue a certificate to the movie.<br />
<br />
The top court had added that the CBFC was an independent body and the court should not intervene in their jurisdiction.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The makers have repeatedly mentioned that the film does not&nbsp;hurt&nbsp;religious sentiments nor&nbsp;does it tamper with history. They have offered to screen the film to the Rajput outfit as soon as they get a Censor certificate. Members of the Censor board are likely to watch the film today.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups, including Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts

As the release of the movie Padmavati draws nearer, the protest against it has also mounted up. In its wake, Uttar Pradesh`s Home Department has written to the secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, urging it to convey the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of the adverse impact of the protests on peace and harmony. The letter also appeals for the certification board to take public sentiments into cognizance while granting a certificate to the movie. The movie`s December 1 release date also coincides with the counting of votes in the Uttar Pradesh local body elections, while the Islamic festival of Milad-un-Nabi is likely to fall on December 2, which is marked by large processions by the community. In light of both events, the ministry also suggested that the movie`s release around the same time would not be in the interests of peace and order. The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups, including Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts.The Karni Sena had earlier demolished the sets of the movie in Jaipur and also thrashed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The Karni Sena activists have amped up the act by staging protests in various parts of the country, covering Bangalore in the South as well. The protests have turned even more violent, as acts of vandalism in Rajasthan`s Kota were reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, The Rajasthan Police on Thursday said that the people protesting against Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s movie Padmavati should not take law and order into their hands."The protesters can stage demonstrations peacefully and can keep their demands in front but that all should be under law and order. We will take proper action if any situation violating law and order arises. Presently, the situation is under control. We will make a strategy if needed and are ready for any upcoming situation," Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) Ajit Singh told ANI. Yesterday, Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi warned of dire consequences if the release of Padmavati was not stalled.Speaking to ANI, Kalvi said, "Jauhar ki jwala hai, bahut kuch jalega. Rok sako to rok lo (a lot will burn, stop if you can)." Earlier, the Supreme Court had rejected a petition filed against the release of Padmavati, saying the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was yet to issue a certificate to the movie. The top court had added that the CBFC was an independent body and the court should not intervene in their jurisdiction. The makers have repeatedly mentioned that the film does not hurt religious sentiments nor does it tamper with history. They have offered to screen the film to the Rajput outfit as soon as they get a Censor certificate. Members of the Censor board are likely to watch the film today.

Padmavati: UP home department urges CBFC to consider 'people's sentiments'

<p>The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has said it would take a stand on the controversial film <em>Padmavati</em>&nbsp;only after watching it.<br />
<br />
The Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles is being opposed by certain organisations.<br />
<br />
Amey Khopkar, the president of MNS Chitrapat Sena, the film wing of the Raj Thackeray-led party, yesterday issued a video to clarify the outfit&#39;s stand on the movie, scheduled to release on December 1.&nbsp;&quot;We are of the opinion of not opposing the movie without watching it. We are not going to do it that way. I am aware of some social organisations and political parties opposing the film but we would like to first see it,&quot; it said.<br />
<br />
&quot;If we find some part objectionable, we can hold a meeting with the director (Bhansali),&quot; the party said in the video.&nbsp;Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Mumbai, Ram Kadam, said the film&#39;s trailer had &quot;hurt&quot; the sentiments of a section of people.<br />
<br />
Addressing a press conference here yesterday, he said, &quot;Nobody has the right to play with history. The trailer has hurt the sentiments of some people and Bhansali will have to respect their feelings.&quot;&nbsp;The MLA from Ghatkopar (West) Assembly segment said he was the chairman of the Film Studios Setting and Allied Mazdoor Sangh, which will not work with Bhansali in his next venture as a mark of protest.<br />
<br />
&quot;If Bhansali cannot respect people&#39;s sentiments, then he will not be able to shoot for his next film here. My union is very strong and we will not cooperate with him,&quot; the legislator MLA warned.&nbsp;The Rajasthan-based Shri Rajput Karni Sena is spearheading protests against the film, alleging that it &quot;distorts&quot; historical facts.</p>


The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has said it would take a stand on the controversial film Padmavati?only after watching it.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has said it would take a stand on the controversial film Padmavati only after watching it. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles is being opposed by certain organisations. Amey Khopkar, the president of MNS Chitrapat Sena, the film wing of the Raj Thackeray-led party, yesterday issued a video to clarify the outfit's stand on the movie, scheduled to release on December 1. "We are of the opinion of not opposing the movie without watching it. We are not going to do it that way. I am aware of some social organisations and political parties opposing the film but we would like to first see it," it said. "If we find some part objectionable, we can hold a meeting with the director (Bhansali)," the party said in the video. Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Mumbai, Ram Kadam, said the film's trailer had "hurt" the sentiments of a section of people. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, he said, "Nobody has the right to play with history. The trailer has hurt the sentiments of some people and Bhansali will have to respect their feelings." The MLA from Ghatkopar (West) Assembly segment said he was the chairman of the Film Studios Setting and Allied Mazdoor Sangh, which will not work with Bhansali in his next venture as a mark of protest. "If Bhansali cannot respect people's sentiments, then he will not be able to shoot for his next film here. My union is very strong and we will not cooperate with him," the legislator MLA warned. The Rajasthan-based Shri Rajput Karni Sena is spearheading protests against the film, alleging that it "distorts" historical facts.

Will take stand on 'Padmavati' after watching it: MNS

<p>Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has reportedly been given special security by the Mumbai Police after the Rajput Karni Sena threatened to chop off her nose if &quot;Padmavati&quot;&nbsp;is released on December 1.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Mahipal Singh Makrana of Rajput Karni Sena has made a video in which he states that &quot;Rajputs do not raise their hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha,&quot; ANI quoted him as saying. (Also Read -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/did-rani-padmavati-exist-24076">Padmavati row: Much ado over a piece of fiction?</a>)</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajputs never raise a hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha: Mahipal Singh Makrana of Rajput Karni Sena in a self-made video <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavati</a> <a href="https://t.co/82AWKGO7IU">pic.twitter.com/82AWKGO7IU</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931060785303785473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A few days earlier, Deepika Padukone had expressed disappointment over the controversy around the film and stated that the country was becoming regressive.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-up-home-deptt-writes-to-cbfc-urging-it-to-consider-peoples-sentiments-while-giving-certificate-to-the-film-24347" target="_blank">Padmavati: UP home department urges CBFC to consider &#39;people&#39;s sentiments&#39;</a><br />
<br />
Criticising her comment, Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi said, &quot;The country is not regressing, you are making it so. I beg Deepika not to insult women... Deepika is seen dancing with fewer clothes in the film. How are you trying to portray the Indian women?&quot;<br />
<br />
&quot;Deepika is like a daughter. She should exercise restraint,&quot; he added. Kalvi also alleged that Padmavati was financed by the &quot;underworld&quot;.</p>


'Rajputs do not raise their hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha,' Mahipal Singh Makrana of the Karni Sena said in a self-made video

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has reportedly been given special security by the Mumbai Police after the Rajput Karni Sena threatened to chop off her nose if "Padmavati" is released on December 1. Mahipal Singh Makrana of Rajput Karni Sena has made a video in which he states that "Rajputs do not raise their hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha," ANI quoted him as saying. (Also Read - Padmavati row: Much ado over a piece of fiction?) Rajputs never raise a hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha: Mahipal Singh Makrana of Rajput Karni Sena in a self-made video #Padmavati pic.twitter.com/82AWKGO7IU — ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2017 × A few days earlier, Deepika Padukone had expressed disappointment over the controversy around the film and stated that the country was becoming regressive. Padmavati: UP home department urges CBFC to consider 'people's sentiments' Criticising her comment, Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi said, "The country is not regressing, you are making it so. I beg Deepika not to insult women... Deepika is seen dancing with fewer clothes in the film. How are you trying to portray the Indian women?" "Deepika is like a daughter. She should exercise restraint," he added. Kalvi also alleged that Padmavati was financed by the "underworld".

Padmavati row: Deepika given security after Karni Sena threatens to chop off her nose

<p>Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-up-home-deptt-writes-to-cbfc-urging-it-to-consider-peoples-sentiments-while-giving-certificate-to-the-film-24347">magnum opus Padmavati</a> has been facing the heat of Rajput groups ever since the director started filming in Jaipur. The film which features Deepika Padukone in the title role has Shahid Kapoor playing her husband,&nbsp;Rajput king Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh playing Delhi ruler Alauddin Khilji.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The film&#39;s story is based on a fictional tale which had Ratan Singh going to war with Alauddin Khilji to protect his wife Queen Padmavati&#39;s honour. Known for her exceptional beauty, Padmavati was desired by Khilji who wanted to win her over by defeating her husband. Ratan&nbsp;Singh eventually did get killed in the war and Queen Padmavati performed Jauhar (self-immolation) along with thousands of other women of her kingdom in order to protect her honour.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In January this year, members of the Rajput outfit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-now-karni-sena-threatens-to-chop-off-deepika-padukones-nose-if-the-film-releases-24367">Karni Sena</a> vandalised the sets of Padmavati and even assaulted Sanjay Leela Bhansali as the crew was shooting at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur. They rasied objection to an alleged dream sequence in the film featuring Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji.<br />
<br />
Several meetings were held between officials of Bhansali productions and the representatives of Karni Sena following the incident where the makers assured that the film did not have any such dream sequence neither did it tamper with history.<br />
<br />
The sets were torched in Kolhapur in March later this year. While no one was hurt, losses worth crores were incurred.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
After the trailer of the film came out, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-karni-sena-vandalises-rajasthan-theatre-showing-padmavati-trailer-6704">protests broke out</a> as the Karni Sena alleged that the film was tampering with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-talks-to-prince-of-mewar-dynasty-lakshyaraj-singh-mewar-on-padmavati-row-6765">Rajput history</a>.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Ram Kadam warned that if Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali did not remove &ldquo;objectionable scenes&rdquo; from the film, he would not be allowed to shoot any movie in the future.&nbsp;While Bhansali came on record to state that film honoured the valor of the Rajput Queen and in no way distorted facts, Karni Sena has been adamant in stopping the film&#39;s release.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Thursday, the Karni Sena threatened to chop off Deepika Padukone&#39;s nose if the film is released on December 1. Another group in Meerut has offered a bounty of Rs 5 crore to anyone who cops off Bhansali&#39;s head.<br />
<br />
Bhansali, though, has got a lot of support from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-film-associations-back-padmvati-question-governments-silence-on-the-matter-24169">film fraternity</a> ever since the controversy broke out. From Anurag Kashyap to Salman Khan to various film bodies- all have appealed to the government to step in and let the film get a smooth release.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Due to increasing threats, security has been stepped up for Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is reportedly going to screen the film to CBFC on Thursday.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, certain BJP leaders had appealed to the Chief Election Commissioner demanding the stalling of &#39;Padmavati&#39; release ahead of Gujarat elections. &nbsp;The Supreme Court a week back had refused to entertain a plea seeking a stay on the release of the film till CBFC had considered all options and given a certificate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Thursday, the UP government urged the CBFC to take into account the sentiments of the people before certifying the film. The letter stated that the film&#39;s release could disrupt the peace and harmony of the state as several theaters in Noida were threatened by Karni Sena of vandalism if they agreed to screen the film in their respective theaters.&nbsp;</p>


A round-up of all that has happened around the film

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Padmavati has been facing the heat of Rajput groups ever since the director started filming in Jaipur. The film which features Deepika Padukone in the title role has Shahid Kapoor playing her husband, Rajput king Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh playing Delhi ruler Alauddin Khilji. The film's story is based on a fictional tale which had Ratan Singh going to war with Alauddin Khilji to protect his wife Queen Padmavati's honour. Known for her exceptional beauty, Padmavati was desired by Khilji who wanted to win her over by defeating her husband. Ratan Singh eventually did get killed in the war and Queen Padmavati performed Jauhar (self-immolation) along with thousands of other women of her kingdom in order to protect her honour. In January this year, members of the Rajput outfit Karni Sena vandalised the sets of Padmavati and even assaulted Sanjay Leela Bhansali as the crew was shooting at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur. They rasied objection to an alleged dream sequence in the film featuring Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji. Several meetings were held between officials of Bhansali productions and the representatives of Karni Sena following the incident where the makers assured that the film did not have any such dream sequence neither did it tamper with history. The sets were torched in Kolhapur in March later this year. While no one was hurt, losses worth crores were incurred. After the trailer of the film came out, protests broke out as the Karni Sena alleged that the film was tampering with Rajput history. Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Ram Kadam warned that if Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali did not remove “objectionable scenes” from the film, he would not be allowed to shoot any movie in the future. While Bhansali came on record to state that film honoured the valor of the Rajput Queen and in no way distorted facts, Karni Sena has been adamant in stopping the film's release. On Thursday, the Karni Sena threatened to chop off Deepika Padukone's nose if the film is released on December 1. Another group in Meerut has offered a bounty of Rs 5 crore to anyone who cops off Bhansali's head. Bhansali, though, has got a lot of support from the film fraternity ever since the controversy broke out. From Anurag Kashyap to Salman Khan to various film bodies- all have appealed to the government to step in and let the film get a smooth release. Due to increasing threats, security has been stepped up for Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is reportedly going to screen the film to CBFC on Thursday. Meanwhile, certain BJP leaders had appealed to the Chief Election Commissioner demanding the stalling of 'Padmavati' release ahead of Gujarat elections. The Supreme Court a week back had refused to entertain a plea seeking a stay on the release of the film till CBFC had considered all options and given a certificate. On Thursday, the UP government urged the CBFC to take into account the sentiments of the people before certifying the film. The letter stated that the film's release could disrupt the peace and harmony of the state as several theaters in Noida were threatened by Karni Sena of vandalism if they agreed to screen the film in their respective theaters.

Padmavati row: All that has happened so far

<p>Central Board of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-sanjay-leela-bhansali-gets-security-cover-rajput-karni-sena-calls-for-a-bharat-bandh-24319">Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson, Prasoon Joshi </a>on Wednesday said that he has not watched the yet to be released movie, &quot;Padmavati&quot;.</p>

<p>Rebutting the reports of him having reviewed the movie at a special screening, Joshi said, &quot;The speculative reports a few publications are carrying about I having watched Padmavati are absolutely baseless and untrue.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Neither I have watched the film nor expressed any views regarding it. The film will follow the due process at CBFC,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Some media reports had earlier claimed that Joshi saw Padmavati and gave its content a clean chit.</p>

<p>Reportedly, Joshi said the movie will &quot;sail through without cuts.&quot;</p>

<p>The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups, including Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts.</p>

<p>However, the makers have repeatedly maintained that the movie is devoid of scenes that may hurt anyone&#39;s sentiments.</p>

<p>Joshi, last week, had also rejected one of its advisory panel members&#39; statement against &#39;Padmavati&#39; director Sanjay Leela Bhansali that the filmmaker should be tried for treason.</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s unfortunate to see the personal point of view expressed by an advisory panel member of the CBFC against Mr Sanjay Leela Bhansali. By no means does it represent the point of view of CBFC as an organisation or the CBFC board. We have respect for Mr Bhansali as an individual and artist,&quot; Joshi had told ANI.</p>

<p>Padmavati is due for release on December 1.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Padmavati is due for release on December 1.

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson, Prasoon Joshi on Wednesday said that he has not watched the yet to be released movie, "Padmavati". Rebutting the reports of him having reviewed the movie at a special screening, Joshi said, "The speculative reports a few publications are carrying about I having watched Padmavati are absolutely baseless and untrue." "Neither I have watched the film nor expressed any views regarding it. The film will follow the due process at CBFC," he added. Some media reports had earlier claimed that Joshi saw Padmavati and gave its content a clean chit. Reportedly, Joshi said the movie will "sail through without cuts." The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups, including Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts. However, the makers have repeatedly maintained that the movie is devoid of scenes that may hurt anyone's sentiments. Joshi, last week, had also rejected one of its advisory panel members' statement against 'Padmavati' director Sanjay Leela Bhansali that the filmmaker should be tried for treason. "It's unfortunate to see the personal point of view expressed by an advisory panel member of the CBFC against Mr Sanjay Leela Bhansali. By no means does it represent the point of view of CBFC as an organisation or the CBFC board. We have respect for Mr Bhansali as an individual and artist," Joshi had told ANI. Padmavati is due for release on December 1.

I haven't expressed any views on 'Padmavati': Prasoon Joshi

<p>There seems to be no respite for <em>Padmavati</em>. On Wednesday, Shri Rajput Karni Sena called for a <em>Bandh</em>&nbsp;December 1 - the day Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s film is scheduled to release. Meanwhile, the filmmaker has been provided with an extra security cover by the Maharashtra government in view of the growing threats around the film and the director.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&quot;We will hold rallies across the country, including Gurugram, Patna, Lucknow and Bhopal before the release date,&quot; Lokendra Singh Kalvi, founder-patron of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, an organization of the Rajput community, told media persons in Jaipur. Kalvi claims that all communities, including Muslims, support the group.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&quot;We demand a complete ban on the film. Now, we don&#39;t want any pre-screening of the movie. All we want is a ban,&quot; an agency quoted him as saying. Kalvi also demanded PM Modi&#39;s intervention in the matter.<br />
<br />
Ever since Bhansali started filming <em>Padmavati</em>, he has been facing severe criticism from the Rajput outfit. The filmmaker was attacked and his set was vandalized on two occasions.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The outfit has stated that the film distorts Rajput history and has raised an objection on the alleged dream scene between Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmavati. The makers have repeatedly stated that the film does not have the alleged dream sequence and Bhansali has even come on record and stated that the film honours the spirit of Rajput women.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Ever since Bhansali started filming Padmavati, he has been facing severe criticism from the Rajput outfit

There seems to be no respite for Padmavati. On Wednesday, Shri Rajput Karni Sena called for a Bandh December 1 - the day Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film is scheduled to release. Meanwhile, the filmmaker has been provided with an extra security cover by the Maharashtra government in view of the growing threats around the film and the director. "We will hold rallies across the country, including Gurugram, Patna, Lucknow and Bhopal before the release date," Lokendra Singh Kalvi, founder-patron of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, an organization of the Rajput community, told media persons in Jaipur. Kalvi claims that all communities, including Muslims, support the group. "We demand a complete ban on the film. Now, we don't want any pre-screening of the movie. All we want is a ban," an agency quoted him as saying. Kalvi also demanded PM Modi's intervention in the matter. Ever since Bhansali started filming Padmavati, he has been facing severe criticism from the Rajput outfit. The filmmaker was attacked and his set was vandalized on two occasions. The outfit has stated that the film distorts Rajput history and has raised an objection on the alleged dream scene between Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmavati. The makers have repeatedly stated that the film does not have the alleged dream sequence and Bhansali has even come on record and stated that the film honours the spirit of Rajput women.

Padmavati row: Sanjay Leela Bhansali given security, Karni Sena calls for Bharat Bandh

<p>Several film bodies on Monday&nbsp;came out in support of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s <em>Padmavati</em>&nbsp;and questioned the government&#39;s silence on threats by Rajput groups against the release of the film.<br />
<br />
The Indian Film and Television Directors&#39; Association (IFTDA) along with Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Screenwriters Association (SWA), Association of Cine and Television Art Directors and Costume Designers (ACTADCD), backed Bhansali at a press conference here.<br />
<br />
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, who was present there, said an attack on Bhansali was an assault on creative freedom.<br />
<br />
&quot;Attack on Bhansali is an attack on freedom. This is very stifling. When it comes to the interpretation of history, you can disagree with him, but at least allow the film to release. By asking for a ban, you are creating an atmosphere where nobody will attempt films on Indian history,&quot; Mishra said.<br />
<br />
Bhansali has been facing trouble since he started shooting for the movie. The set of the movie was vandalised twice -- in Jaipur and Kolhapur -- and the director was roughed up by members of Karni Sena during the Jaipur schedule of the film earlier this year.<br />
<br />
Rajput groups and some BJP members have accused Bhansali of distorting facts in the movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. The film is scheduled to be released on December 1.<br />
<br />
At the press conference, actor Sushant Singh, general secretary of CINTAA, said the government should intervene at this point.&nbsp;&quot;Sanjay Leela Bhansali didn&#39;t ask us to hold this conference... We all are frustrated, angry and upset. For how long will our fraternity members keep asking for freedom of expression to make films? Why do we need to fight for such a basic right all the time?&quot; Singh asked.<br />
<br />
&quot;My question is for the state and the Central government- why are you silent? People from your parties are openly threatening to burn theatres. I have the right to ask for an assurance from the government,&quot; he added.<br />
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, convenor of IFTDA, said the industry has been pushed to a point where they feel abused.<br />
<br />
&quot;We are hurt because we have been abused and accused. We are filmmakers, creative people and we don&#39;t deserve this kind of treatment. Every now and then we see our makers being heckled. We work hard, we make films. Bhansali is a symbol and attack on him is like abusing the film fraternity,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
Pandit said on November 16 there will be a silent protest outside the Film City gates here to support Bhansali. &quot;The entire film fraternity will come out at 11 AM. No shoot will be done from 4-4:15 PM as a symbolic support to Bhansali,&quot; Pandit added.<br />
<br />
He also said that the bodies will write letters to I&amp;B minister Smriti Irani tomorrow and Union home minister Rajnath Singh.<br />
<br />
Veteran actor and CINTAA President Vikram Gokhale, who worked with Bhansali in <em>Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam</em>, said the filmmaker is a responsible man and his vision should be trusted.<br />
<br />
&quot;I am against private censorship. I have worked with Bhansali, he is a responsible man. Even if he has made a mistake, you have a pen and media platforms to express your opinion. But vandalising sets, indulging in physical violence is extremely foolish,&quot; Gokhale said.<br />
<br />
Bhansali has already issued an appeal to clarify that there is no dream sequence between Deepika&#39;s Padmavati and Ranveer&#39;s Khilji as claimed by Rajput groups.&nbsp;</p>


Rajput groups and some BJP members have accused Bhansali of distorting facts in the movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh.

Several film bodies on Monday came out in support of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati and questioned the government's silence on threats by Rajput groups against the release of the film. The Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) along with Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Screenwriters Association (SWA), Association of Cine and Television Art Directors and Costume Designers (ACTADCD), backed Bhansali at a press conference here. Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, who was present there, said an attack on Bhansali was an assault on creative freedom. "Attack on Bhansali is an attack on freedom. This is very stifling. When it comes to the interpretation of history, you can disagree with him, but at least allow the film to release. By asking for a ban, you are creating an atmosphere where nobody will attempt films on Indian history," Mishra said. Bhansali has been facing trouble since he started shooting for the movie. The set of the movie was vandalised twice -- in Jaipur and Kolhapur -- and the director was roughed up by members of Karni Sena during the Jaipur schedule of the film earlier this year. Rajput groups and some BJP members have accused Bhansali of distorting facts in the movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. The film is scheduled to be released on December 1. At the press conference, actor Sushant Singh, general secretary of CINTAA, said the government should intervene at this point. "Sanjay Leela Bhansali didn't ask us to hold this conference... We all are frustrated, angry and upset. For how long will our fraternity members keep asking for freedom of expression to make films? Why do we need to fight for such a basic right all the time?" Singh asked. "My question is for the state and the Central government- why are you silent? People from your parties are openly threatening to burn theatres. I have the right to ask for an assurance from the government," he added. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, convenor of IFTDA, said the industry has been pushed to a point where they feel abused. "We are hurt because we have been abused and accused. We are filmmakers, creative people and we don't deserve this kind of treatment. Every now and then we see our makers being heckled. We work hard, we make films. Bhansali is a symbol and attack on him is like abusing the film fraternity," he said. Pandit said on November 16 there will be a silent protest outside the Film City gates here to support Bhansali. "The entire film fraternity will come out at 11 AM. No shoot will be done from 4-4:15 PM as a symbolic support to Bhansali," Pandit added. He also said that the bodies will write letters to I&B minister Smriti Irani tomorrow and Union home minister Rajnath Singh. Veteran actor and CINTAA President Vikram Gokhale, who worked with Bhansali in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, said the filmmaker is a responsible man and his vision should be trusted. "I am against private censorship. I have worked with Bhansali, he is a responsible man. Even if he has made a mistake, you have a pen and media platforms to express your opinion. But vandalising sets, indulging in physical violence is extremely foolish," Gokhale said. Bhansali has already issued an appeal to clarify that there is no dream sequence between Deepika's Padmavati and Ranveer's Khilji as claimed by Rajput groups.

Film Associations back Padmavati, question government's silence on the matter

<p>Makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s <em>Padmavati</em>&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;said they were ready to screen the film for those who had doubts about its content once the film was passed by the censor board.<br />
<br />
Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said the claims that film was a distortion of history were not true and they were open to screening the film after it was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).<br />
<br />
&quot;We are first looking at the Censor Board (for clearance) and then we don&#39;t have a problem (to show the film) because they are imagining something different and we would like to quell all these doubts first. But ideally we want to get the certificate first,&quot; Andhare told PTI.<br />
<br />
He said the filmmakers had received some representations.<br />
<br />
&quot;We do not have a problem (in screening the film) please realise this is unprecedented, this is not how it is supposed to be done. What they (certain sections of people) are saying is not in the film, we do not have anything to hide,&quot; he added.<br />
<br />
He said they did not want the film to get stuck in any further controversy and were waiting to hear from the CBFC.<br />
<br />
&quot;We are going to this length as we want to quell the controversy; it is a needless controversy. The film doesn&#39;t need it. The film has its own merit and we just want that the censor board gives us a screening date so that we can take it ahead. The ball is in the censor&#39;s court,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
The film was submitted to the CBFC last week.&nbsp;&quot;Bhansali Production applied online last Friday. We are waiting to hear from the board for the screening. That is our first priority. &quot;I am not foreseeing any problem. No film in the history of censor board has got delayed, I have no reason to believe the film will be delayed. We have nothing to worry (about),&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
<em>Padmavati</em>&nbsp;is scheduled to be released on December 1.&nbsp;</p>


Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said the claims that film was a distortion of history were not true

Makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati on Monday said they were ready to screen the film for those who had doubts about its content once the film was passed by the censor board. Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said the claims that film was a distortion of history were not true and they were open to screening the film after it was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). "We are first looking at the Censor Board (for clearance) and then we don't have a problem (to show the film) because they are imagining something different and we would like to quell all these doubts first. But ideally we want to get the certificate first," Andhare told PTI. He said the filmmakers had received some representations. "We do not have a problem (in screening the film) please realise this is unprecedented, this is not how it is supposed to be done. What they (certain sections of people) are saying is not in the film, we do not have anything to hide," he added. He said they did not want the film to get stuck in any further controversy and were waiting to hear from the CBFC. "We are going to this length as we want to quell the controversy; it is a needless controversy. The film doesn't need it. The film has its own merit and we just want that the censor board gives us a screening date so that we can take it ahead. The ball is in the censor's court," he said. The film was submitted to the CBFC last week. "Bhansali Production applied online last Friday. We are waiting to hear from the board for the screening. That is our first priority. "I am not foreseeing any problem. No film in the history of censor board has got delayed, I have no reason to believe the film will be delayed. We have nothing to worry (about)," he said. Padmavati is scheduled to be released on December 1.

Padmavati makers open to screen the film to quell the doubts

<p>It is a question that the protestors who want the film &quot;Padmavati&quot; to be banned must first ask themselves before they take extreme steps, such as vandalising the film&#39;s sets in Jaipur or suggesting that the acclaimed director is tried for distorting history on grounds of treason.</p>

<p>The question is can somebody be tried for treason because he took inspiration from a work of fiction.</p>

<p>The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film is reportedly based on the 1540 fictional piece &quot;Padmavat&quot; 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.</p>

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<h5>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.</h5>
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<p>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.</p>

<p>Interestingly, the accounts prior to the &quot;Padmavat&quot; that describe Alauddin Khilji&#39;s Chittorgarh conquest make no mention of the queen.</p>

<p>Historian Amir Khusrau, who accompanied Alauddin Khilji during the important historical event, and records it in &quot;Khaza&#39;in ul-Futuh&quot; makes no mention of Rani Padmini. Later accounts of Rani Padmini are all adaptations of the &quot;Padmavat&quot;. Most modern historians have rejected the authenticity of the legend around Rani Padmini.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Their objections are to an alleged dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji which the film&#39;s director has repeatedly denied.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The filmmaker is yet to take the approval of the censor board, a process which routinely takes 21 days.</p>

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<h5>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.</h5>
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<p>The Rajasthan government&#39;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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>&quot;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,&quot; Raj Purohit, chief whip of the BJP in the Maharashtra assembly said.</p>

<p>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 &quot;Ghoomar&quot; 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.</p>

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<h5>Sanjay Leela Bhansali has repeatedly said that there is no scene in the film that can hurt the sentiments of the Rajputs.</h5>
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<p>Sanjay Leela Bhansali has repeatedly said that there is no scene in the film that can hurt the sentiments of the Rajputs.</p>

<p>In fact, the trailer repeatedly talks about the valour of the Rajputs. Phrases like &quot;Rani Padmini is our pride and honour&quot;, &quot;The one who never gives up and fights the enemy till his very last breath is a Rajput,&quot; &quot;One who accepts all challenges and emerges victorious is a Rajput&quot; feature in the trailer.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Mr Bhansali&#39;s previous film &quot;Bajirao Mastani&quot;, 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.</p>


Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been focussing on regressive themes in his last few films but he can't be tried for committing treason for taking inspiration from a work 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.

Padmavati row: Much ado over a piece of fiction?

<p>If Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s video on Thursday was not enough, now the production house Bhansali productions has sent a letter to the National President of Akhand Rajput Seva Sangh clarifying that the film Padmavati does not malign the honour of the Rajput community.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The letter, of which WION has a copy of, is a response to Sangh&#39;s letter dated November 2. &nbsp;The letter states that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a &#39;responsible filmmaker and the production house &#39;respects all communities&#39;.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&quot;Due to a certain rumour and false propaganda and news, this film is being attacked and is in the midst of protests from the Rajput community. We state for the record that the film portrays the honour, bravery, valour and dignity of the Rajputs and their beloved queen, Rani Padmavati. &nbsp;We further confirm that we have not in any manner deflected from the honour, pride and supreme sacrifices made by Rani Padmavati has been depicted in the most dignified manner,&quot; the letter states.<br />
<br />
&quot;We have time and again clarified and once again reassure you that there is no intimate scene/dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Allaudin Khilji, &quot; the letter further adds.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The film has been in the eye of storm since January this year over an alleged scene between Rani Padmavati and Allaudin Khilji. While the makers have denied the inclusion of any such scene, the film continues to face opposition from various Rajput communities.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The film is scheduled to release on December 1 and stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Bhansali productions has sent a letter to the National President of Akhand Rajput Seva Sangh clarifying that the film Padmavati does not malign the honour of the Rajput community.

If Sanjay Leela Bhansali's video on Thursday was not enough, now the production house Bhansali productions has sent a letter to the National President of Akhand Rajput Seva Sangh clarifying that the film Padmavati does not malign the honour of the Rajput community. The letter, of which WION has a copy of, is a response to Sangh's letter dated November 2. The letter states that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a 'responsible filmmaker and the production house 'respects all communities'. "Due to a certain rumour and false propaganda and news, this film is being attacked and is in the midst of protests from the Rajput community. We state for the record that the film portrays the honour, bravery, valour and dignity of the Rajputs and their beloved queen, Rani Padmavati. We further confirm that we have not in any manner deflected from the honour, pride and supreme sacrifices made by Rani Padmavati has been depicted in the most dignified manner," the letter states. "We have time and again clarified and once again reassure you that there is no intimate scene/dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Allaudin Khilji, " the letter further adds. The film has been in the eye of storm since January this year over an alleged scene between Rani Padmavati and Allaudin Khilji. While the makers have denied the inclusion of any such scene, the film continues to face opposition from various Rajput communities. The film is scheduled to release on December 1 and stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead.

Padmavati Row: Now Bhansali Productions writes a letter to Akhand Rajput Seva Sangh