Sanjay Leela Bhansali will don the cap of a producer along with Bhushan Kumar of T-Series as they announce a film on the recent Balakot airstrike.&nbsp;

The film planned will be scripted by Abhishek Kapoor who will also direct the project. He last directed Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan’s ‘Kedarnath’ along with ‘Kai Po Che’ and ‘Fitoor’.&nbsp;

Making the announcement, Bhushan Kumar tweeted, “A story of grit, determination and valour! Proud to announce #2019BalakotAirstrike, a tribute to the brave hearts of our country. Written &amp; directed by @Abhishekapoor @PMOIndia@DefenceMinIndia #SanjayLeelaBhansali @pragyakapoor_ #MahaveerJain @Tseries @gitspictures.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A story of grit, determination and valour! Proud to announce <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2019BalakotAirstrike?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2019BalakotAirstrike</a>, a tribute to the brave hearts of our country. Written &amp; directed by <a href="https://twitter.com/Abhishekapoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Abhishekapoor</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DefenceMinIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SanjayLeelaBhansali?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SanjayLeelaBhansali</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pragyakapoor_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pragyakapoor_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahaveerJain?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahaveerJain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TSeries?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tseries</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/gitspictures?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gitspictures</a> <a href="https://t.co/fJfuexe4Mf">pic.twitter.com/fJfuexe4Mf</a>
— Bhushan Kumar (@itsBhushanKumar) <a href="https://twitter.com/itsBhushanKumar/status/1205365844458360832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;As for the Balakot airstrikes, on February 26 this year, IAF’s Mirage fighter jets had hit three targets in Balakot in Pakistan’s Pakhtunkhwa province. The attack came as a reply for the suicide bombing that killed 40 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama on February 14.

In another news, Vivek Oberoi had also announced a film on IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. He said, “As a proud Indian, a patriot, and a member of the film fraternity, it’s my duty to highlight what our Armed Forces are truly capable of. In the form of a trilingual, this film is a powerful tool to underline the achievements of brave officers like Wing Commander Abhinandan, who went behind the enemy lines and did what makes every Indian proud of them.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali will don the cap of a producer along with Bhushan Kumar of T-Series as they announce a film on the recent Balakot airstrike. The film planned will be scripted by Abhishek Kapoor who will also direct the project.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali will don the cap of a producer along with Bhushan Kumar of T-Series as they announce a film on the recent Balakot airstrike. The film planned will be scripted by Abhishek Kapoor who will also direct the project. He last directed Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan’s ‘Kedarnath’ along with ‘Kai Po Che’ and ‘Fitoor’. Making the announcement, Bhushan Kumar tweeted, “A story of grit, determination and valour! Proud to announce #2019BalakotAirstrike, a tribute to the brave hearts of our country. Written & directed by @Abhishekapoor @PMOIndia@DefenceMinIndia #SanjayLeelaBhansali @pragyakapoor_ #MahaveerJain @Tseries @gitspictures.” A story of grit, determination and valour! Proud to announce #2019BalakotAirstrike, a tribute to the brave hearts of our country. Written & directed by @Abhishekapoor.@PMOIndia @DefenceMinIndia #SanjayLeelaBhansali @pragyakapoor_ #MahaveerJain @Tseries @gitspictures pic.twitter.com/fJfuexe4Mf — Bhushan Kumar (@itsBhushanKumar) December 13, 2019 × As for the Balakot airstrikes, on February 26 this year, IAF’s Mirage fighter jets had hit three targets in Balakot in Pakistan’s Pakhtunkhwa province. The attack came as a reply for the suicide bombing that killed 40 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama on February 14. In another news, Vivek Oberoi had also announced a film on IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. He said, “As a proud Indian, a patriot, and a member of the film fraternity, it’s my duty to highlight what our Armed Forces are truly capable of. In the form of a trilingual, this film is a powerful tool to underline the achievements of brave officers like Wing Commander Abhinandan, who went behind the enemy lines and did what makes every Indian proud of them.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bhushan Kumar to produce film on Balakot airstrike

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to co-produce a film based on the 2019 Balakot Air Strikes in collaboration with Bhushan Kumar. 
 
Mahaveer Jain and Pragya Kapoor are also among the producers while 'Kedarnath'&nbsp;director Abhishek Kapoor will helm the film based on the airstrikes conducted by India on terror camps in Pakistan in February. 
 
"A story that celebrates the accomplishments of the Indian Air Force," is how the makers have described the film. "IT'S OFFICIAL... Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bhushan Kumar, Mahaveer Jain, and Pragya Kapoor to make a film on 2019 Balakot Airstrike... Directed by Abhishek Kapoor" tweeted film critic Adarsh along with a banner.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
IT'S OFFICIAL... Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bhushan Kumar, Mahaveer Jain and Pragya Kapoor to make film on 2019 Balakot Airstrike... Directed by Abhishek Kapoor. <a href="https://t.co/PK5f42D1wC">pic.twitter.com/PK5f42D1wC</a>
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1205383333904928769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

This marks the second movie to be based on India's action against terror camps, after actor Vivek Oberoi's production 'Balakot: The True Story'. 
 
The film will be a cinematic portrayal of the airstrikes that the Indian air force executed against terrorist camps in Pakistan, days after a terror attack on CRPF convoy in Jammu Kashmir`s Pulwama claimed the lives of over 40 paramilitary personnel.&nbsp;

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to co-produce a film based on the 2019 Balakot Air Strikes in collaboration with Bhushan Kumar. Mahaveer Jain and Pragya Kapoor are also among the producers while 'Kedarnath' director Abhishek Kapoor will helm the film based on the airstrikes conducted by India on terror camps in Pakistan in February.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to co-produce a film based on the 2019 Balakot Air Strikes in collaboration with Bhushan Kumar. Mahaveer Jain and Pragya Kapoor are also among the producers while 'Kedarnath' director Abhishek Kapoor will helm the film based on the airstrikes conducted by India on terror camps in Pakistan in February. "A story that celebrates the accomplishments of the Indian Air Force," is how the makers have described the film. "IT'S OFFICIAL... Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bhushan Kumar, Mahaveer Jain, and Pragya Kapoor to make a film on 2019 Balakot Airstrike... Directed by Abhishek Kapoor" tweeted film critic Adarsh along with a banner. IT'S OFFICIAL... Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bhushan Kumar, Mahaveer Jain and Pragya Kapoor to make film on 2019 Balakot Airstrike... Directed by Abhishek Kapoor. pic.twitter.com/PK5f42D1wC — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 13, 2019 × This marks the second movie to be based on India's action against terror camps, after actor Vivek Oberoi's production 'Balakot: The True Story'. The film will be a cinematic portrayal of the airstrikes that the Indian air force executed against terrorist camps in Pakistan, days after a terror attack on CRPF convoy in Jammu Kashmir`s Pulwama claimed the lives of over 40 paramilitary personnel.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali to co-produce film on 2019 Balakot airstrikes

Diwali marked a double celebration for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali who on Sunday announced his next directorial venture- the musical saga, `Baiju Bawra`. 
 
The film is slated to hit the theatre on Diwali 2021, after the release of Alia Bhatt starrer, Gangubai Kathiawadi on September 11, 2020. 
 
Indian film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the news on his Twitter account.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakingNews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BreakingNews</a>: After the release of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GangubaiKathiawadi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GangubaiKathiawadi</a> on 11 Sep 2020, Sanjay Leela Bhansali to make his most ambitious film project... Titled <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BaijuBawra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BaijuBawra</a>... Revenge story of a maverick maestro... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Diwali2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Diwali2021</a> release. <a href="https://t.co/8wrug6PeZS">pic.twitter.com/8wrug6PeZS</a>
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1188353657076477957?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Earlier this month, the `Padmavat` director announced his big project,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/gangubai-kathiawadi-alia-bhatt-to-play-a-mafia-queen-in-sanjay-leela-bhansalis-next-256278"> `Gangubai Kathiawadi`.</a> 
 
Alia was supposed to star opposite Bollywood`s `Bajrangi Bhaijaan` Salman Khan for `Inshallah.` However, the film was shelved last month following creative differences between the director and Salman Khan.&nbsp;

Diwali marked a double celebration for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali who on Sunday announced his next directorial venture- the musical saga, `Baiju Bawra`. The film is slated to hit the theatre on Diwali 2021, after the release of Alia Bhatt starrer, Gangubai Kathiawadi on September 11, 2020.

Diwali marked a double celebration for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali who on Sunday announced his next directorial venture- the musical saga, `Baiju Bawra`. The film is slated to hit the theatre on Diwali 2021, after the release of Alia Bhatt starrer, Gangubai Kathiawadi on September 11, 2020. Indian film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the news on his Twitter account. #BreakingNews: After the release of #GangubaiKathiawadi on 11 Sep 2020, Sanjay Leela Bhansali to make his most ambitious film project... Titled #BaijuBawra... Revenge story of a maverick maestro... #Diwali2021 release. pic.twitter.com/8wrug6PeZS — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) October 27, 2019 × Earlier this month, the `Padmavat` director announced his big project, `Gangubai Kathiawadi`. Alia was supposed to star opposite Bollywood`s `Bajrangi Bhaijaan` Salman Khan for `Inshallah.` However, the film was shelved last month following creative differences between the director and Salman Khan.

After 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', Sanjay Leela Bhansali to make 'Baiju Bawra'

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Alia Bhatt will work together in 'Gangubai Kathiawadi’. The filmmaker had earlier roped in Alia to play the lead opposite Salman Khan in 'Inshallah' but the film had to be shelved.&nbsp; 
 
On Wednesday, trade analyst Taran Adarsh announced the new film on Twitter. Adarsh wrote, "Sanjay Leela Bhansali announces his new film #GangubaiKathiawadi... Stars Alia Bhatt in title role... Also, release date finalized: 11 Sept 2020... Bhansali Productions collaborates with Jayantilal Gada's PEN India Ltd for this film."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Xclusiv?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Xclusiv</a>: Sanjay Leela Bhansali announces his new film <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GangubaiKathiawadi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GangubaiKathiawadi</a>... Stars Alia Bhatt in title role... Also, release date finalized: 11 Sept 2020... Bhansali Productions collaborates with Jayantilal Gada's PEN India Ltd for this film.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1184402754363461633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Based on a true story, Alia will be seen essaying the role of Gangubai Kathiawadi who was known as one of the top madams of Mumbai’s red-light district Kamathipura.&nbsp; 
 
According to writer Hussain Zaidi's book 'Mafia Queens of Mumbai', Gangubai had been sold into prostitution by her boyfriend and she eventually turned one of its biggest supporters. She though harboured a soft corner for young women forced into the trade. 
Bhatt will play the lead role and the male actor has not been finalised so far.&nbsp; 
 
Alia has had two releases this year. While Zoya Akhtar's 'Gully Boy' earned her praises, Abhishek Varman's 'Kalank' did not do well at the box office.&nbsp; 
 
The actress has 'Brahmastra' lined up for release in the beginning of 2020. The film has been directed by Ayan Mukerji and co-stars Ranbir Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan along with Bhatt.&nbsp;

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Alia Bhatt will work together in 'Gangubai Kathiawadi’. The filmmaker had earlier roped in Alia to play the lead opposite Salman Khan in 'Inshallah' but the film had to be shelved.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Alia Bhatt will work together in 'Gangubai Kathiawadi’. The filmmaker had earlier roped in Alia to play the lead opposite Salman Khan in 'Inshallah' but the film had to be shelved. On Wednesday, trade analyst Taran Adarsh announced the new film on Twitter. Adarsh wrote, "Sanjay Leela Bhansali announces his new film #GangubaiKathiawadi... Stars Alia Bhatt in title role... Also, release date finalized: 11 Sept 2020... Bhansali Productions collaborates with Jayantilal Gada's PEN India Ltd for this film." #Xclusiv: Sanjay Leela Bhansali announces his new film #GangubaiKathiawadi... Stars Alia Bhatt in title role... Also, release date finalized: 11 Sept 2020... Bhansali Productions collaborates with Jayantilal Gada's PEN India Ltd for this film. — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) October 16, 2019 × Based on a true story, Alia will be seen essaying the role of Gangubai Kathiawadi who was known as one of the top madams of Mumbai’s red-light district Kamathipura. According to writer Hussain Zaidi's book 'Mafia Queens of Mumbai', Gangubai had been sold into prostitution by her boyfriend and she eventually turned one of its biggest supporters. She though harboured a soft corner for young women forced into the trade. Bhatt will play the lead role and the male actor has not been finalised so far. Alia has had two releases this year. While Zoya Akhtar's 'Gully Boy' earned her praises, Abhishek Varman's 'Kalank' did not do well at the box office. The actress has 'Brahmastra' lined up for release in the beginning of 2020. The film has been directed by Ayan Mukerji and co-stars Ranbir Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan along with Bhatt.

Gangubai Kathiawadi: Alia Bhatt to play a mafia queen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next 

Salman Khan has left his fans upset as the actor has announced that he will not be a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming project 'Inshallah'. 
 
The revelation by Khan was made at the green carpet of the 20th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards held in Mumbai. 
 
He was accompanied by his 'Dabangg 3'&nbsp;co-star and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/who-was-the-mystery-girl-accompanying-salman-khan-on-the-red-carpet-at-iifa-2019-250620">daughter of Mahesh Manjrekar, Saiee.&nbsp;</a>

Speaking to reporters at the IIFA 2019, Khan said "Currently, Inshallah is not being made. Inshallah will be made but at least not with me".&nbsp;While introducing Saiee, 'Bajarangi Bhaijan'&nbsp;actor recalled the time when Sonakshi Sinha was also introduced at the gala event, IIFA. "It's so strange that long time back, Sonakshi Sinha was also introduced on the ramp at IIFA and now this is her turn," he said. 
 
To which one of the reporters said that Saiee will also be seen spreading the same kind of magic on the silver screen and while replying back, Salman had a witty answer. 
 
"Inshallah. I am not talking about the film," he said jokingly. Following his witty answer and remark, one of the reporters asked about what went wrong with the filming as people were really excited to watch the star with the ace director after a hiatus of 19 years. 
 
He said, "Currently Inshallah is not being made. It's not being made with me."

Last month, Khan had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/salman-khan-alia-bhatt-starrer-inshallah-wont-release-on-eid-next-year-245621">tweeted</a>,&nbsp;"The film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali is pushed but I will still see you all on Eid, 2020. Insha-Allah!!". 
 
Khan and Bhansali had first worked together in the filmmaker's debut movie 'Khamoshi: The Musical'&nbsp;(1996). The iconic actor-director duo last worked together on 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'&nbsp;(1999), the film also starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and it went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters of that time. 
 
Salman also had a brief cameo in Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Saawariya'. The filming of 'Inshallah'&nbsp;starring Alia Bhatt was supposed to begin in September after Salman would have finished shooting for 'Dabangg 3'.&nbsp;

Salman Khan has left his fans upset as the actor has announced that he will not be a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming project 'Inshallah'. The revelation by Khan was made at the green carpet of the 20th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards held in Mumbai.

Salman Khan has left his fans upset as the actor has announced that he will not be a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming project 'Inshallah'. The revelation by Khan was made at the green carpet of the 20th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards held in Mumbai. He was accompanied by his 'Dabangg 3' co-star and daughter of Mahesh Manjrekar, Saiee. Speaking to reporters at the IIFA 2019, Khan said "Currently, Inshallah is not being made. Inshallah will be made but at least not with me". While introducing Saiee, 'Bajarangi Bhaijan' actor recalled the time when Sonakshi Sinha was also introduced at the gala event, IIFA. "It's so strange that long time back, Sonakshi Sinha was also introduced on the ramp at IIFA and now this is her turn," he said. To which one of the reporters said that Saiee will also be seen spreading the same kind of magic on the silver screen and while replying back, Salman had a witty answer. "Inshallah. I am not talking about the film," he said jokingly. Following his witty answer and remark, one of the reporters asked about what went wrong with the filming as people were really excited to watch the star with the ace director after a hiatus of 19 years. He said, "Currently Inshallah is not being made. It's not being made with me." Last month, Khan had tweeted, "The film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali is pushed but I will still see you all on Eid, 2020. Insha-Allah!!". Khan and Bhansali had first worked together in the filmmaker's debut movie 'Khamoshi: The Musical' (1996). The iconic actor-director duo last worked together on 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' (1999), the film also starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and it went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters of that time. Salman also had a brief cameo in Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Saawariya'. The filming of 'Inshallah' starring Alia Bhatt was supposed to begin in September after Salman would have finished shooting for 'Dabangg 3'.

Salman Khan confirms not being a part of 'Inshallah', leaves fans upset

It’s true that Salman Khan does not forgive easily as the superstar has now reportedly got Priyanka Chopra thrown out of a film of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. This is in response to Priyanka walking out of Salman’s film ‘Bharat’ just a few days before the shoot was to begin.&nbsp;

Back then, the makers issued a statement that Priyanka owing to her personal commitments will not be able a part of the film. Katrina then stepped into the shoes of Priyanka.&nbsp;

‘Bharat’ is now a hit with the audience as the film <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/salman-khans-bharat-enters-rs-100-crore-club-within-four-days-of-its-release-225806">continues to mint moolah</a> and has crossed Rs 150 crore in just 5&nbsp;days. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bharat-box-office-day-2-salman-khan-katrina-kaifs-film-continues-to-rule-225194">This is the day 2 collections of the film.&nbsp;</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bharat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bharat</a> Wed 42.30 cr, Thu 31 cr, Fri 22.20 cr, Sat 26.70 cr, Sun 27.90 cr. Total: ₹ 150.10 cr. India biz... After a glorious start, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bharat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bharat</a> needs to score on weekdays... Mon-Thu biz will give an idea of lifetime biz... Will emerge second highest grosser of 2019 today [Day 6].
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1137972642168754177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

As for SLB’s film, Salman on knowing that Priyanka was being considered for a part in the film with him, asked the director to choose between him and the actress to which Sanjay opted to keep Salman in the movie.&nbsp;

Salman had, however, in a promotional event for ‘Bharat’ earlier said that he would not shy off from working with Priyanka in the future, He said, "I would definitely work with her in the future. If she gets me a meaty role, why wouldn't I work with her? I just need to love the story."

It’s true that Salman Khan does not forgive easily as the superstar has now reportedly got Priyanka Chopra thrown out of a film of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

It’s true that Salman Khan does not forgive easily as the superstar has now reportedly got Priyanka Chopra thrown out of a film of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. This is in response to Priyanka walking out of Salman’s film ‘Bharat’ just a few days before the shoot was to begin. Back then, the makers issued a statement that Priyanka owing to her personal commitments will not be able a part of the film. Katrina then stepped into the shoes of Priyanka. ‘Bharat’ is now a hit with the audience as the film continues to mint moolah and has crossed Rs 150 crore in just 5 days. This is the day 2 collections of the film. #Bharat Wed 42.30 cr, Thu 31 cr, Fri 22.20 cr, Sat 26.70 cr, Sun 27.90 cr. Total: ₹ 150.10 cr. India biz... After a glorious start, #Bharat needs to score on weekdays... Mon-Thu biz will give an idea of lifetime biz... Will emerge second highest grosser of 2019 today [Day 6]. — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 10, 2019 × As for SLB’s film, Salman on knowing that Priyanka was being considered for a part in the film with him, asked the director to choose between him and the actress to which Sanjay opted to keep Salman in the movie. Salman had, however, in a promotional event for ‘Bharat’ earlier said that he would not shy off from working with Priyanka in the future, He said, "I would definitely work with her in the future. If she gets me a meaty role, why wouldn't I work with her? I just need to love the story."

Salman Khan gets Priyanka Chopra removed from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film?

Salman Khan is keeping his date with fans on Eid 2020. The actor's film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, titled 'Inshallah' will be releasing on Eid next year.&nbsp; 
The `Bajrangi Bhaijan` actor will be sharing screen space for the first time with Alia Bhatt. 
 
Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the details about the project on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
IT'S OFFICIAL... Salman Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Inshallah?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Inshallah</a> release date finalized: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eid</a> 2020... SLB teams up with Salman after a long gap... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Inshallah?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Inshallah</a> stars Salman and Alia Bhatt. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eid2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eid2020</a>
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1136605465289166849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Interestingly, the Salman and Alia starrer will clash with Akshay Kumar`s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-reveals-his-look-in-rohit-shettys-new-cop-drama-sooryavanshi-see-posters-201268">`Sooryavanshi` </a>which is also scheduled for a 2020 Eid release.&nbsp; 
 
Salman and Sanjay are uniting for a film after 19 years. The two had first worked together in the director`s debut film `Khamoshi: The Musical` (1996). They last worked together on `Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam` (1999), the film also starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters of that time.Salman also had a brief cameo in Ranbir Kapoor-starrer `Saawariya`.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/salman-khans-bharat-leaked-online-by-tamilrockers-224935"> Also read:&nbsp;Salman Khan's 'Bharat' leaked online by Tamilrockers</a> 
 
Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s last directorial project was the 2018 hit film `Padmaavat`, starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor. 
Bollywood`s `bhai jaan` is elated with the opening of his latest film `Bharat`, which raked in Rs. 42.30 crore on its first day, making it Salman`s biggest ever opener.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bharat-review-salman-khans-film-may-be-exhaustive-but-it-still-works-224485">Read our review here.&nbsp;</a> 
 
The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bharat-salman-khan-thanks-fans-for-giving-him-his-career-best-opening-of-a-film-224995"> actor expressed his happiness </a>and thanked his fans for the overwhelming response."Big thk u sabko fr giving sabse bada opening mere career ka par what made me the happiest and proudest is ki during a scene in my film jab national anthem is recited ev1 stood up as a mark of respect. There could be no bigger respect for our country than this... Jai Hind Bharat," he tweeted. 
 
Salman will next be seen in Prabhu Dheva`s `Dabangg 3` while Alia who was last seen in the period drama film `Kalank` is shooting for `Brahmastra` alongside Ranbir Kapoor in Varanasi.&nbsp;

Salman Khan is keeping his date with fans on Eid 2020. The actor's film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, titled 'Inshallah' will be releasing on Eid next year. The `Bajrangi Bhaijan` actor will be sharing screen space for the first time with Alia Bhatt.

Salman Khan is keeping his date with fans on Eid 2020. The actor's film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, titled 'Inshallah' will be releasing on Eid next year. The `Bajrangi Bhaijan` actor will be sharing screen space for the first time with Alia Bhatt. Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the details about the project on Twitter. IT'S OFFICIAL... Salman Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali... #Inshallah release date finalized: #Eid 2020... SLB teams up with Salman after a long gap... #Inshallah stars Salman and Alia Bhatt. #Eid2020 — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 6, 2019 × Interestingly, the Salman and Alia starrer will clash with Akshay Kumar`s `Sooryavanshi` which is also scheduled for a 2020 Eid release. Salman and Sanjay are uniting for a film after 19 years. The two had first worked together in the director`s debut film `Khamoshi: The Musical` (1996). They last worked together on `Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam` (1999), the film also starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters of that time.Salman also had a brief cameo in Ranbir Kapoor-starrer `Saawariya`. Also read: Salman Khan's 'Bharat' leaked online by Tamilrockers Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s last directorial project was the 2018 hit film `Padmaavat`, starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor. Bollywood`s `bhai jaan` is elated with the opening of his latest film `Bharat`, which raked in Rs. 42.30 crore on its first day, making it Salman`s biggest ever opener. Read our review here. The actor expressed his happiness and thanked his fans for the overwhelming response."Big thk u sabko fr giving sabse bada opening mere career ka par what made me the happiest and proudest is ki during a scene in my film jab national anthem is recited ev1 stood up as a mark of respect. There could be no bigger respect for our country than this... Jai Hind Bharat," he tweeted. Salman will next be seen in Prabhu Dheva`s `Dabangg 3` while Alia who was last seen in the period drama film `Kalank` is shooting for `Brahmastra` alongside Ranbir Kapoor in Varanasi.

Confirmed! Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt's 'Inshallah' with Sanjay Leela Bhansali to release on Eid 2020

Salman Khan is a busy man these days.&nbsp;

Currently occupied with his production venture ‘Notebook’ in which he is launching Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl, Salman has confirmed that he will star in the Hindi adaptation of another hit Korean film, ‘Veteran’.

This after Salman will be seen in the remake of Korean film ‘An Ode To My Father’ which is titled ‘Bharat’ in Hindi. The film is slated to release in June this year. It stars Katrina Kaif, Tabu, Disha Patani, and others.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Salman’s brother-in-law, actor-producer Atul Agnihotri, has acquired the rights of ‘Veteran’. The 2015 Korean film revolves around a detective, who hunts down a young and successful man running a crime syndicate.

Announcing the same, Salman said, "I am doing 'Veteran'. Atul has rights. It's a nice film. We will do this film after Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film.”

Salman will start working on the third instalment of ‘Dabangg’, followed by Bhansali's<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/salman-khan-to-reunite-with-sanjay-leela-bhansali-for-inshallah-co-stars-alia-bhatt-204240"> ‘Inshallah’ </a>in which he teams up with Alia Bhatt for the first time.&nbsp;

Salman Khan is a busy man these days. Currently occupied with his production venture ‘Notebook’ in which he is launching Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl, Salman has confirmed that he will star in the Hindi adaptation of another hit Korean film, ‘Veteran’.

Salman Khan is a busy man these days. Currently occupied with his production venture ‘Notebook’ in which he is launching Zaheer Iqbal and Pranutan Bahl, Salman has confirmed that he will star in the Hindi adaptation of another hit Korean film, ‘Veteran’. This after Salman will be seen in the remake of Korean film ‘An Ode To My Father’ which is titled ‘Bharat’ in Hindi. The film is slated to release in June this year. It stars Katrina Kaif, Tabu, Disha Patani, and others. Meanwhile, Salman’s brother-in-law, actor-producer Atul Agnihotri, has acquired the rights of ‘Veteran’. The 2015 Korean film revolves around a detective, who hunts down a young and successful man running a crime syndicate. Announcing the same, Salman said, "I am doing 'Veteran'. Atul has rights. It's a nice film. We will do this film after Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film.” Salman will start working on the third instalment of ‘Dabangg’, followed by Bhansali's ‘Inshallah’ in which he teams up with Alia Bhatt for the first time.

Salman Khan confirms another project, Hindi remake of Korean film 'Veteran' after Bhansali's 'Inshallah'

In what can be called big news from the Bollywood quarters, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Salman Khan might come together for a film after more than a decade. They came together for a film titled ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, which also had Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, then girlfriend of Khan’s.&nbsp;

The two parted ways and they were never seen together in a film. Bhansali and Khan also had an apparent fallout because of which the two never made a film together.&nbsp;

If reports are to be believed, the two are said to reunite for a project. The project might just be called ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 2’, even though it is not said to be a sequel to the first film.&nbsp;

As per a source quoted in a report in DNA: &nbsp;"Sanjay, who is penning the script, has narrated the idea to Salman and he is on board. Though the film isn’t a sequel or a remake, it may be called Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 2. SLB feels that the movie has all the elements that Hum Dil... had. So, the title feels like a natural fit for part two. However, it will have a different story and new characters. An A-list heroine will be cast opposite Salman, but the makers haven’t approached anyone as yet".

The same source further adds, "Salman starts Dabangg 3 in the last week of March. Once he finishes the third instalment of the cop franchise, he will begin work on this project. The movie is being readied for a 2020 release".

In what can be called big news from the Bollywood quarters, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Salman Khan might come together for a film after more than a decade. They came together for a film titled ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, which also had Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, then girlfriend of Khan’s.

In what can be called big news from the Bollywood quarters, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Salman Khan might come together for a film after more than a decade. They came together for a film titled ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, which also had Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, then girlfriend of Khan’s. The two parted ways and they were never seen together in a film. Bhansali and Khan also had an apparent fallout because of which the two never made a film together. If reports are to be believed, the two are said to reunite for a project. The project might just be called ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 2’, even though it is not said to be a sequel to the first film. As per a source quoted in a report in DNA: "Sanjay, who is penning the script, has narrated the idea to Salman and he is on board. Though the film isn’t a sequel or a remake, it may be called Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 2. SLB feels that the movie has all the elements that Hum Dil... had. So, the title feels like a natural fit for part two. However, it will have a different story and new characters. An A-list heroine will be cast opposite Salman, but the makers haven’t approached anyone as yet". The same source further adds, "Salman starts Dabangg 3 in the last week of March. Once he finishes the third instalment of the cop franchise, he will begin work on this project. The movie is being readied for a 2020 release".

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Salman Khan to reunite for 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 2'?

For those who were hoping to see ‘Sultan’ co-stars on the screen again, will have to wait a bit longer as Anushka Sharma has denied being a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next that was to have Anushka and Salman.&nbsp;

According to the reports in DNA, there were chances that the two would have reunited for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next project. While there was no news of Anushka confirming (until her spokesperson denied the news), the report claimed that Salman Khan was to play the lead and that he suggested Anushka’s name for the female lead.&nbsp;

Salman, meanwhile, had confirmed earlier this year that he will reunite with his ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. At the launch of his popular reality show ‘Bigg Boss 12’, Salman said, “Yes, I am doing Sanjay’s film.” He also jokingly added, “I don’t know much about it. Have only heard a one-liner about it. But Sanjay is not answering my calls. Please ask him to speak to me.”

Denying Anushka’s involvement in the film, Anushka’s spokesperson said, "Anushka Sharma would love to collaborate with Sanjay Leela Bhansali but as of now, there is no truth to the speculations claiming Anushka has been signed for his next. We request you to kindly refrain from reporting on the same."

Reportedly, the project is titled ‘Inshallah’ and director Sanjay might take at least nine months to work on it, before they start shooting. If the project happens, it will be ready for release on Eid 2020.&nbsp;

For those who were hoping to see ‘Sultan’ co-stars on the screen again, will have to wait a bit longer as Anushka Sharma has denied being a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next that was to have Anushka and Salman.

For those who were hoping to see ‘Sultan’ co-stars on the screen again, will have to wait a bit longer as Anushka Sharma has denied being a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next that was to have Anushka and Salman. According to the reports in DNA, there were chances that the two would have reunited for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next project. While there was no news of Anushka confirming (until her spokesperson denied the news), the report claimed that Salman Khan was to play the lead and that he suggested Anushka’s name for the female lead. Salman, meanwhile, had confirmed earlier this year that he will reunite with his ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. At the launch of his popular reality show ‘Bigg Boss 12’, Salman said, “Yes, I am doing Sanjay’s film.” He also jokingly added, “I don’t know much about it. Have only heard a one-liner about it. But Sanjay is not answering my calls. Please ask him to speak to me.” Denying Anushka’s involvement in the film, Anushka’s spokesperson said, "Anushka Sharma would love to collaborate with Sanjay Leela Bhansali but as of now, there is no truth to the speculations claiming Anushka has been signed for his next. We request you to kindly refrain from reporting on the same." Reportedly, the project is titled ‘Inshallah’ and director Sanjay might take at least nine months to work on it, before they start shooting. If the project happens, it will be ready for release on Eid 2020.

Anushka Sharma will not reunite with 'Sultan' co-star Salman Khan for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film

They have worked together in films like 'Khamoshi: The Musical', 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Saawariya' and now, a decade later Salman Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali will team up for a new film.&nbsp; 
 
Khan, who is currently promoting his big Eid release Race 3, confirmed that he has given his nod to Bhansali's new project.&nbsp; 
 
"There is no 'No Entry' or 'Wanted' sequel happening. I am doing 'Bharat', 'Dabangg 3' and 'Sher Khan'. The 'Kick 2' script isn't ready at the moment and then there is a dance film with Remo and one Bhansali film when he comes and narrates it. We recently discussed it," he said. 
 
The 52-year-old actor says he immediately gives his nod to a project if it excites him. 
 
"The only films I want to do as soon as possible are the ones which satisfy me. I want to do something which I instantly like. I take up films only if they instantly excite me. If something is narrated to me and I am like 'I will tell you tomorrow' or 'I need some time to think', it's never happening," Salman said to a news The actor, however, made an exception for his Eid release 'Race 3'.&nbsp; 
 
"The only film I have done like that is 'Race 3'. That too because I instantly loved the script, barring one or two points." 
 
Salman has been part of the movie business for around three decades and believes while some of the younger actors are doing good, there are a few who have misunderstood what Hindi cinema stands for. 
 
"Tiger Shroff got it right this time (referring to 'Baaghi 2' success). Varun Dhawan has always been getting it right. He tried one, but then that was a film ('October') he wanted to do and it did make decent money and no one lost anything. 
 
"Apart from that, I think everyone is going slightly... They think India is from Cuffe Parade (South Mumbai) to Andheri, which is not true. They think all our emotions are cliched and outdated," he said.&nbsp;

The actor-director duo has worked together in films like 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Khamoshi'.

They have worked together in films like 'Khamoshi: The Musical', 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Saawariya' and now, a decade later Salman Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali will team up for a new film. Khan, who is currently promoting his big Eid release Race 3, confirmed that he has given his nod to Bhansali's new project. "There is no 'No Entry' or 'Wanted' sequel happening. I am doing 'Bharat', 'Dabangg 3' and 'Sher Khan'. The 'Kick 2' script isn't ready at the moment and then there is a dance film with Remo and one Bhansali film when he comes and narrates it. We recently discussed it," he said. The 52-year-old actor says he immediately gives his nod to a project if it excites him. "The only films I want to do as soon as possible are the ones which satisfy me. I want to do something which I instantly like. I take up films only if they instantly excite me. If something is narrated to me and I am like 'I will tell you tomorrow' or 'I need some time to think', it's never happening," Salman said to a news The actor, however, made an exception for his Eid release 'Race 3'. "The only film I have done like that is 'Race 3'. That too because I instantly loved the script, barring one or two points." Salman has been part of the movie business for around three decades and believes while some of the younger actors are doing good, there are a few who have misunderstood what Hindi cinema stands for. "Tiger Shroff got it right this time (referring to 'Baaghi 2' success). Varun Dhawan has always been getting it right. He tried one, but then that was a film ('October') he wanted to do and it did make decent money and no one lost anything. "Apart from that, I think everyone is going slightly... They think India is from Cuffe Parade (South Mumbai) to Andheri, which is not true. They think all our emotions are cliched and outdated," he said.

Salman Khan confirms a film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali is in the pipeline

The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected a plea seeking penal action against the producers and the director of Bollywood movie Padmaavat&nbsp;for alleged glorification of the practice of &#39;sati&#39;. 
 
&#39;Sati&#39; is an obsolete funeral custom where a widow immolates herself on her husband&#39;s pyre and the law prohibits it. 
 
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar dismissed the plea saying the petitioner should have approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) at an appropriate time. 
 
The high court also said in its detailed order that the Board has exercised its discretion carefully and not given a &#39;U&#39; certificate for unrestricted viewing but granted &#39;U/A&#39; certification. 
 
&quot;As on date, the film stands released as well. The film stands released without any complaints and it is already in public domain. If the petitioner was having any complaint with regard to the issue raised in his writ petition, he should have made a complaint before the CBFC at an appropriate time. We find no merit in the petition. The same is dismissed.&quot; the court said. 
 
The bench also said that writs cannot be issued against artistic works premised on individual perceptions. 
 
&ldquo;The entire writ petition is premised on the sole submission that it has elaborately choreographed the &lsquo;Sati&rsquo; or &lsquo;Jauhar&rsquo; scenes in the history of Indian cinema. The writ petitioner does not even state at all that the film is &lsquo;supporting, justifying or propagating the practice of sati&rsquo;. It is therefore, not possible to hold that the film would invite penal action under the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987. 
 
A PIL by social activist Swami Agnivesh had sought deletion of the scenes that depict the practice of &#39;sati&#39;. 
 
The court had earlier observed that according to one of the disclaimers in the film, it is a work of fiction and therefore, it does not show any intention or animus on the part of the producers or director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, to propagate the practice. 
 
The petition, filed through advocate Mehmood Pracha, had sought directions to the Delhi Police to lodge FIR against Ajit Andhare, one of the producers, and Bhansali. 
 
Central government standing counsel Manish Mohan, who appeared for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the censor board, had opposed the plea, saying the movie was certified for public viewing after considering all the aspects.

The court had said that in the present day and age, it was &quot;hesitant to accept&quot; the petitioner&#39;s claim that someone would follow such a practice just by seeing the movie.

The high court on January 25 had rejected a Rajasthan-based group&#39;s plea seeking quashing of the certification granted to the film, saying the Supreme Court had permitted its release. 
 
The film, which hit the theatres on January 25, is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and has Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead roles. It is based on the saga of a historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi.

The impending release of the movie had led to several incidents of vandalism, including an attack on a school bus in Gurugram and torching of a Haryana Roadways bus on January 24. The set of the movie was vandalised twice -- in Jaipur and Kolhapur, while its director Bhansali was roughed up by members of the Karni Sena last year. 
 
The apex court had paved the way for nationwide release of the film by staying the ban on its screening in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It had also restrained other states from issuing any such notification or order banning the screening of the film.&nbsp;

The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected a plea seeking penal action against the producers and the director of Bollywood movie Padmaavat for the alleged glorification of the practice of 'Sati'.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected a plea seeking penal action against the producers and the director of Bollywood movie Padmaavat for alleged glorification of the practice of 'sati'. 'Sati' is an obsolete funeral custom where a widow immolates herself on her husband's pyre and the law prohibits it. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar dismissed the plea saying the petitioner should have approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) at an appropriate time. The high court also said in its detailed order that the Board has exercised its discretion carefully and not given a 'U' certificate for unrestricted viewing but granted 'U/A' certification. "As on date, the film stands released as well. The film stands released without any complaints and it is already in public domain. If the petitioner was having any complaint with regard to the issue raised in his writ petition, he should have made a complaint before the CBFC at an appropriate time. We find no merit in the petition. The same is dismissed." the court said. The bench also said that writs cannot be issued against artistic works premised on individual perceptions. “The entire writ petition is premised on the sole submission that it has elaborately choreographed the ‘Sati’ or ‘Jauhar’ scenes in the history of Indian cinema. The writ petitioner does not even state at all that the film is ‘supporting, justifying or propagating the practice of sati’. It is therefore, not possible to hold that the film would invite penal action under the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987. A PIL by social activist Swami Agnivesh had sought deletion of the scenes that depict the practice of 'sati'. The court had earlier observed that according to one of the disclaimers in the film, it is a work of fiction and therefore, it does not show any intention or animus on the part of the producers or director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, to propagate the practice. The petition, filed through advocate Mehmood Pracha, had sought directions to the Delhi Police to lodge FIR against Ajit Andhare, one of the producers, and Bhansali. Central government standing counsel Manish Mohan, who appeared for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the censor board, had opposed the plea, saying the movie was certified for public viewing after considering all the aspects. The court had said that in the present day and age, it was "hesitant to accept" the petitioner's claim that someone would follow such a practice just by seeing the movie. The high court on January 25 had rejected a Rajasthan-based group's plea seeking quashing of the certification granted to the film, saying the Supreme Court had permitted its release. The film, which hit the theatres on January 25, is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and has Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead roles. It is based on the saga of a historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi. The impending release of the movie had led to several incidents of vandalism, including an attack on a school bus in Gurugram and torching of a Haryana Roadways bus on January 24. The set of the movie was vandalised twice -- in Jaipur and Kolhapur, while its director Bhansali was roughed up by members of the Karni Sena last year. The apex court had paved the way for nationwide release of the film by staying the ban on its screening in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It had also restrained other states from issuing any such notification or order banning the screening of the film.

Padmaavat: Delhi High Court rejects plea alleging glorification of Sati in the film

When the Padmaavat controversy broke out, social media was quick to pick sides. While most spoke out against Karni Sena and supported Bhansali&#39;s film, there was an eerie silence over the matter from some of the biggest names in Bollywood. Most people condemned Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh Khan for keeping mum about the matter, and for not making any public statement. Some even blamed them for being scared and hence choosing to keep mum. 
 
SRK, though, expressed that the silence was maintained for a reason.&nbsp; 
 
On Tuesday, addressing the Padmaavat controversy for the first time, Khan said celebrities are not scared of expressing their opinion, but if sometimes they choose to remain silent, it is for a valid reason. 
 
Khan spoke during a panel discussion on &quot;Media - Shaping the Future and Entertainment&quot; at &quot;Magnetic Maharashtra Convergence 2018&quot; in Mumbai on Tuesday night. 
 
Khan was asked if the government should take more step to protect the freedom of artistes` expression and whether celebrities should come up with their opinion fearlessly. But he stressed that actors are not afraid of speaking their mind. 
 
When he was pointed out about how many stars chose to keep mum over the Padmaavat controversy, Khan said they simply &quot;ignored such non-constitutional people for a greater reason&quot;. 
 
&quot;People said why are these big stars are not coming up with their opinion and hiding behind? Honestly, we don`t have to hide anywhere. The simple truth is, the more prominent actors talk about them, the more popularity they (Karni Sena) would gain. The ideal action is to ignore them, not to talk about them,&quot; the actor said. 
 
Without mentioning the name of the film, SRK stated that he had also suggested Padmaavat team to not react as that would encourage the protestors more. &quot;If more prominent actors, actresses and directors came and talked about this film&mdash;as a matter of fact, many times I suggested to their team, not to talk about this, just keep quiet because you are giving wind to fire. And suddenly these people are getting more recognised by the virtue of being on all the news channels. So don&rsquo;t give them importance,&quot; the actor said. 
 
He pointed out that people even said that big stars are busy making money. &quot;But that`s not true. We love the society that we are living in and we are creating entertainment for our people. We might at times not voice our opinion, because as a 52-year-old father, I want all the children and family go and watch the film in theatres, safe and sound. 
 
&quot;I want kids to go back home safely after watching the film, even if they dislike my film. I am more concern about the security of my son and other kids... That is the responsibility of an entertainer.&quot; 
 
However, SRK believes that creative people will always find a way to make their film and speak their mind. 
 
&quot;I can vouch for many filmmakers that nobody makes films to incite people, that is never the intention. Nobody wants to hurt any sentiment of any region, religion or others. No matter what, they will say what they have to say,&quot; he said.

Khan, for the first time, spoke about the Padmaavat row and explained why he chose to keep mum on the matter

When the Padmaavat controversy broke out, social media was quick to pick sides. While most spoke out against Karni Sena and supported Bhansali's film, there was an eerie silence over the matter from some of the biggest names in Bollywood. Most people condemned Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh Khan for keeping mum about the matter, and for not making any public statement. Some even blamed them for being scared and hence choosing to keep mum. SRK, though, expressed that the silence was maintained for a reason. On Tuesday, addressing the Padmaavat controversy for the first time, Khan said celebrities are not scared of expressing their opinion, but if sometimes they choose to remain silent, it is for a valid reason. Khan spoke during a panel discussion on "Media - Shaping the Future and Entertainment" at "Magnetic Maharashtra Convergence 2018" in Mumbai on Tuesday night. Khan was asked if the government should take more step to protect the freedom of artistes` expression and whether celebrities should come up with their opinion fearlessly. But he stressed that actors are not afraid of speaking their mind. When he was pointed out about how many stars chose to keep mum over the Padmaavat controversy, Khan said they simply "ignored such non-constitutional people for a greater reason". "People said why are these big stars are not coming up with their opinion and hiding behind? Honestly, we don`t have to hide anywhere. The simple truth is, the more prominent actors talk about them, the more popularity they (Karni Sena) would gain. The ideal action is to ignore them, not to talk about them," the actor said. Without mentioning the name of the film, SRK stated that he had also suggested Padmaavat team to not react as that would encourage the protestors more. "If more prominent actors, actresses and directors came and talked about this film—as a matter of fact, many times I suggested to their team, not to talk about this, just keep quiet because you are giving wind to fire. And suddenly these people are getting more recognised by the virtue of being on all the news channels. So don’t give them importance," the actor said. He pointed out that people even said that big stars are busy making money. "But that`s not true. We love the society that we are living in and we are creating entertainment for our people. We might at times not voice our opinion, because as a 52-year-old father, I want all the children and family go and watch the film in theatres, safe and sound. "I want kids to go back home safely after watching the film, even if they dislike my film. I am more concern about the security of my son and other kids... That is the responsibility of an entertainer." However, SRK believes that creative people will always find a way to make their film and speak their mind. "I can vouch for many filmmakers that nobody makes films to incite people, that is never the intention. Nobody wants to hurt any sentiment of any region, religion or others. No matter what, they will say what they have to say," he said.

Shah Rukh Khan on Padmaavat row: The more one talks about the fringe, the more popularity they gain

Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s magnum opus Padmaavat&nbsp;is refusing to slow down at the box office. The film, that was mired in controversies earlier this year, is Bhansali&#39;s &nbsp;career&#39;s biggest film and it is still pulling the crowd to the cinemas.&nbsp; 
 
The film, which released on January 25th worldwide, has raked in a whopping Rs. 525 crores worldwide at the box office. 
 
Padmaavat has beaten the records of the director`s previous films, including Bajirao Mastani and Ram Leela, in terms of its box office collections. 
 
The film has been able to rise above the massive protests against the film across the country that had led to the film being banned in certain states including Rajasthan and Gujarat. 
 
Expressing gratitude to the audience, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, stated that he was happy that the audience allowed him to present the rich Indian culture to the viewers. 
 
&quot;It`s a special feeling when your film receives so much love from audiences across the world. Padmaavat is a film that`s very close to my heart because I wanted to present our rich Indian culture to the rest of the world via the medium of cinema. As a filmmaker, there can be no better feeling than seeing audiences react so positively&quot;. 
 
Padmaavat stars Shahid Kapoor as `Maharwal Ratan Singh` alongside Deepika Padukone playing `Padmaavati` and Ranveer Singh as `Allaudin Khilji`.&nbsp;

Padmaavat is proving to be Bhansali's career's biggest hit.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s magnum opus Padmaavat is refusing to slow down at the box office. The film, that was mired in controversies earlier this year, is Bhansali's career's biggest film and it is still pulling the crowd to the cinemas. The film, which released on January 25th worldwide, has raked in a whopping Rs. 525 crores worldwide at the box office. Padmaavat has beaten the records of the director`s previous films, including Bajirao Mastani and Ram Leela, in terms of its box office collections. The film has been able to rise above the massive protests against the film across the country that had led to the film being banned in certain states including Rajasthan and Gujarat. Expressing gratitude to the audience, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, stated that he was happy that the audience allowed him to present the rich Indian culture to the viewers. "It`s a special feeling when your film receives so much love from audiences across the world. Padmaavat is a film that`s very close to my heart because I wanted to present our rich Indian culture to the rest of the world via the medium of cinema. As a filmmaker, there can be no better feeling than seeing audiences react so positively". Padmaavat stars Shahid Kapoor as `Maharwal Ratan Singh` alongside Deepika Padukone playing `Padmaavati` and Ranveer Singh as `Allaudin Khilji`.

Padmaavat continues to rule the box office, earns Rs. 525 Crores

They have delivered three successive blockbusters and now reports suggest that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has signed a three-film contract with actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.&nbsp; 
 
Their last film, Padmaavat has earned Rs 260 crores at the box office and still going strong in many theatres.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Bhansali has not just been bowled over by their performances but also enamoured by the dedication shown by these actors. Since Padmaavat&#39;s shoot was stalled and the release was delayed, they had to contribute a lot more to the film,&quot; revealed a trade insider to The Asian Age.&nbsp; 
 
Bhansali, in an earlier interview, had stated how he was &#39;not done&#39; working with Deepika.&nbsp; 
 
Deepika is so fabulous; she is such a jaan. I just love her. All her hard work and brilliance that she brings to the set is effortless... It&#39;s such a pleasure to work with someone who does what she is doing at that moment with absolute honesty... Her performances are so detailed and nuanced. I&#39;m not done with her yet,&quot; Bhansali had said.

About Ranveer, he had told DNA, &quot;No other filmmaker understands Ranveer the way I do. Ranveer and I have a great chemistry and understanding. I know how to direct him... He&#39;s a very special actor. He has so much energy.&quot; 
&nbsp;

The trio has delivered three blockbusters together.

They have delivered three successive blockbusters and now reports suggest that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has signed a three-film contract with actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. Their last film, Padmaavat has earned Rs 260 crores at the box office and still going strong in many theatres. "Bhansali has not just been bowled over by their performances but also enamoured by the dedication shown by these actors. Since Padmaavat's shoot was stalled and the release was delayed, they had to contribute a lot more to the film," revealed a trade insider to The Asian Age. Bhansali, in an earlier interview, had stated how he was 'not done' working with Deepika. Deepika is so fabulous; she is such a jaan. I just love her. All her hard work and brilliance that she brings to the set is effortless... It's such a pleasure to work with someone who does what she is doing at that moment with absolute honesty... Her performances are so detailed and nuanced. I'm not done with her yet," Bhansali had said. About Ranveer, he had told DNA, "No other filmmaker understands Ranveer the way I do. Ranveer and I have a great chemistry and understanding. I know how to direct him... He's a very special actor. He has so much energy."

Have Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone signed a three film contract with Sanjay Leela Bhansali?

As Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s magnum-opus&nbsp;Padmaavat is all set to hit theatres on January&nbsp;25, violence erupted in several parts of the country with buses being torched and cinema halls being vandalised.&nbsp; &nbsp;

As tension intensified, protesters pelted stones &amp; burnt several buses in Gurugram&#39;s Sohna Road on Wednesday. Several fringe groups are against&nbsp;the screening of the film and demanded a complete ban despite Supreme court giving it a go-ahead order.

In the light of agitation, all clubs&nbsp;and bars in Gurugram have been ordered to be closed from 7 pm on 24th January. They have been asked to remain closed&nbsp;till further order are passed.&nbsp;

A group of protestors reportedly pelted stones at a bus belonging to GD Goenka School, which was ferrying children at the time of the incident, near Bhondsi, breaking the vehicle&#39;s windows. It was unclear if anyone was wounded in the incident. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Haryana: A school bus attacked by vandals protesting against release of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavaat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavaat</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gurugram?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gurugram</a> (Pictures from User Video) <a href="https://t.co/rAQTPJaILD">pic.twitter.com/rAQTPJaILD</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956170164990431232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
If all state govts, central govt and SC together cannot get one movie released and run safely, how can we expect investments to flow in? Forget FDI, even local investors wud feel hesitant. Not gud for already dwindling economy. Bad for jobs
&mdash; Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/956084082101727232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Security has been beefed up and efforts are underway to nab the unidentified miscreants to bring the situation under control.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Haryana: Protesters pelted stones &amp; torched a bus at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gurugram?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gurugram</a>&#39;s Sohna Road in protest against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/I7Bb4DHuxW">pic.twitter.com/I7Bb4DHuxW</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956115539117527040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Haryana: Protesters torched a bus &amp; pelted stones at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gurugram?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gurugram</a>&#39;s Sohna Road in protest against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/YyoOjvH7Qc">pic.twitter.com/YyoOjvH7Qc</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956111684430516224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
8-10 masked men had come to pelt stones at PVS mall. Police is on the lookout for the men. We will provide security to the mall at the time of screening of the film: Chakrapani Tripathi, Circle Officer, Civil Lines <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/r5KOrR112U">pic.twitter.com/r5KOrR112U</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/956112193845538821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Today in Meerut stones were pelted at PVS mall allegedly in protest of Padmaavat.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Meerut: Stones pelted at PVS mall allegedly in protest against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a>. Police deployed on the spot, investigation underway. <a href="https://t.co/WmmaZG5K1V">pic.twitter.com/WmmaZG5K1V</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/956098912770670592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Media reported <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-protests-mobs-go-on-rampage-in-ahmedabad-30572">Gujarat gripped by protests</a> as mobs went on a rampage in Ahmedabad vandalising vehicles and attacking multiplexes.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Protesters block Gurgaon&#39;s Wazirpur-Pataudi road agitating against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/CpzSJ7SEj5">pic.twitter.com/CpzSJ7SEj5</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956069337818857472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

According to reports, the 7-century Chittor fort in Rajasthan has been shut down in the wake of prevailing tensions.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Rajasthan: Security heightened in Chittorgarh ahead of release of film <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/lzBlxigdtb">pic.twitter.com/lzBlxigdtb</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956047177327038465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The UNESCO heritage site was shut after members from the Karni Sena group tried entering it.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Protesters block Delhi-Jaipur highway agitating against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/mh0xJevZbg">pic.twitter.com/mh0xJevZbg</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956072220958347265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Padmaavat&#39;s release in Rajasthan looks uncertain even after the Supreme Court stayed the ban. The film distributors here look reluctant to release the film.

The Supreme Court yesterday rejected Rajasthan&#39;s final appeal to ban Padmaavat and ordered the government to screen the film.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Protest against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavaat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavaat</a> in Mathura, protesters stop train at Bhuteshwar railway station <a href="https://t.co/UlEPjUZ4yz">pic.twitter.com/UlEPjUZ4yz</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/956075065455636480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

According to a Reuters report, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-release-row-hindu-groups-call-for-all-india-protest-ahead-of-release-30605">right-wing protests have intensified</a> all <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-tomorrow-security-beefed-up-30596">across the country amid beefed-up security</a>.&nbsp;

&quot;The police had to open fire to disperse crowds in Ahmadabad on Tuesday night. Protests are expected to continue in various parts of the country ahead of the release of the film on January 25,&quot; noted Reuters.&nbsp;

Chhattisgarh also saw at least dozens of members of Rajput community staging protests on Tuesday evening.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568">&nbsp;review: Ranveer Singh shines in Bhansali&#39;s visually grand historical saga</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Lucknow: Security tightened outside Wave cinemas in the wake of protests against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/N7jB5g7Gwk">pic.twitter.com/N7jB5g7Gwk</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/956074316550066176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

So far, over 100 Karni Sena and other Rajput workers have been detained in Mumbai.

Gurgaon and Noida have imposed Section 144 prohibiting the assembly of more than four people.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar noted that it will be better if theatres do not screen the film, however, they will be provided with security if they choose to go ahead with the release.&nbsp;

Police are also keeping a watch on social media and WhatsApp groups.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The 7-century Chittor fort in Rajasthan has been shut down in the wake of prevailing tensions

As Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum-opus Padmaavat is all set to hit theatres on January 25, violence erupted in several parts of the country with buses being torched and cinema halls being vandalised. As tension intensified, protesters pelted stones & burnt several buses in Gurugram's Sohna Road on Wednesday. Several fringe groups are against the screening of the film and demanded a complete ban despite Supreme court giving it a go-ahead order. In the light of agitation, all clubs and bars in Gurugram have been ordered to be closed from 7 pm on 24th January. They have been asked to remain closed till further order are passed. A group of protestors reportedly pelted stones at a bus belonging to GD Goenka School, which was ferrying children at the time of the incident, near Bhondsi, breaking the vehicle's windows. It was unclear if anyone was wounded in the incident. Haryana: A school bus attacked by vandals protesting against release of #Padmavaat in #Gurugram (Pictures from User Video) pic.twitter.com/rAQTPJaILD — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × If all state govts, central govt and SC together cannot get one movie released and run safely, how can we expect investments to flow in? Forget FDI, even local investors wud feel hesitant. Not gud for already dwindling economy. Bad for jobs — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 24, 2018 × Security has been beefed up and efforts are underway to nab the unidentified miscreants to bring the situation under control. #Visuals from Haryana: Protesters pelted stones & torched a bus at #Gurugram's Sohna Road in protest against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/I7Bb4DHuxW — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × Haryana: Protesters torched a bus & pelted stones at #Gurugram's Sohna Road in protest against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/YyoOjvH7Qc — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × 8-10 masked men had come to pelt stones at PVS mall. Police is on the lookout for the men. We will provide security to the mall at the time of screening of the film: Chakrapani Tripathi, Circle Officer, Civil Lines #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/r5KOrR112U — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2018 × Today in Meerut stones were pelted at PVS mall allegedly in protest of Padmaavat. Meerut: Stones pelted at PVS mall allegedly in protest against #Padmaavat. Police deployed on the spot, investigation underway. pic.twitter.com/WmmaZG5K1V — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2018 × Media reported Gujarat gripped by protests as mobs went on a rampage in Ahmedabad vandalising vehicles and attacking multiplexes. Protesters block Gurgaon's Wazirpur-Pataudi road agitating against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/CpzSJ7SEj5 — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × According to reports, the 7-century Chittor fort in Rajasthan has been shut down in the wake of prevailing tensions. Rajasthan: Security heightened in Chittorgarh ahead of release of film #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/lzBlxigdtb — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × The UNESCO heritage site was shut after members from the Karni Sena group tried entering it. Protesters block Delhi-Jaipur highway agitating against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/mh0xJevZbg — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × Padmaavat's release in Rajasthan looks uncertain even after the Supreme Court stayed the ban. The film distributors here look reluctant to release the film. The Supreme Court yesterday rejected Rajasthan's final appeal to ban Padmaavat and ordered the government to screen the film. Protest against #Padmavaat in Mathura, protesters stop train at Bhuteshwar railway station pic.twitter.com/UlEPjUZ4yz — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2018 × According to a Reuters report, right-wing protests have intensified all across the country amid beefed-up security. "The police had to open fire to disperse crowds in Ahmadabad on Tuesday night. Protests are expected to continue in various parts of the country ahead of the release of the film on January 25," noted Reuters. Chhattisgarh also saw at least dozens of members of Rajput community staging protests on Tuesday evening. Also read: Padmaavat review: Ranveer Singh shines in Bhansali's visually grand historical saga Lucknow: Security tightened outside Wave cinemas in the wake of protests against #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/N7jB5g7Gwk — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 24, 2018 × So far, over 100 Karni Sena and other Rajput workers have been detained in Mumbai. Gurgaon and Noida have imposed Section 144 prohibiting the assembly of more than four people. Meanwhile, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar noted that it will be better if theatres do not screen the film, however, they will be provided with security if they choose to go ahead with the release. Police are also keeping a watch on social media and WhatsApp groups. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: From Gurugram to Mumbai, violent protests rock cities ahead of Padmaavat release

Around 20-25 students of a leading Gurugram school had a narrow escape when a frenzied mob protesting the release of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-not-to-release-in-4-states-says-multiplex-association-of-india-30677">Bollywood film &lsquo;Padmaavat&rsquo; </a>attacked their bus.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n2GIwXuou4c" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

The G D Goenka World School students were on their way home when a group of around 60 protesters, believed to be members of a fringe group, attacked the bus with bamboo sticks asking the driver to stop the vehicle.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
As soon as we came out of the school the bus was attacked. Even the police could not control them. The children somehow took cover inside the bus.: School staff on their school bus attacked by vandals in protest against release of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavaat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavaat</a> in Gurugram, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Haryana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Haryana</a> <a href="https://t.co/4mebxa2jNB">pic.twitter.com/4mebxa2jNB</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956192351214477313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Watch: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-gurugram-to-mumbai-violent-protests-rock-cities-ahead-of-padmaavat-release-30621" target="_blank">From Gurugram to Mumbai, violent protests rock cities ahead of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-gurugram-to-mumbai-violent-protests-rock-cities-ahead-of-padmaavat-release-30621" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-gurugram-to-mumbai-violent-protests-rock-cities-ahead-of-padmaavat-release-30621" target="_blank"> release</a> 

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Haryana: A school bus attacked by vandals protesting against release of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavaat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavaat</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gurugram?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gurugram</a> (Pictures from User Video) <a href="https://t.co/rAQTPJaILD">pic.twitter.com/rAQTPJaILD</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/956170164990431232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

When the driver did not comply, the miscreants pelted the vehicle with stones apparently to hurt the children.

The school bus staffer asked the kids to crawl under seats for safety and directed the driver to not stop it, Ravinder Kumar, PRO, Gurugram Police said.

&ldquo;Some of the bus windows shattered and terrified kids cried for help. Fortunately none of the children was hurt in the attack,&rdquo; Kumar said.

He said the situation was now under control.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-sanjay-leela-bhansalis-magnum-opus-finally-to-release-in-theaters-on-january-25th-30663">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-sanjay-leela-bhansalis-magnum-opus-finally-to-release-in-theaters-on-january-25th-30663">&nbsp;:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-sanjay-leela-bhansalis-magnum-opus-finally-to-release-in-theaters-on-january-25th-30663"> Will Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s magnum opus create magic at the box office?</a>

The attackers also torched a bus in Sohna. They also pelted stones on a fire tender and forced it back when it came to douse the fire, officials said.

Despite prohibitory orders in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-gurugram-to-mumbai-violent-protests-rock-cities-ahead-of-padmaavat-release-30621"> Gurugram</a>, hundreds of Shree Rajput Karni Sena supporters also protested at Kherki Daula toll plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway.

Prohibitary orders are already in place in Gurugram, near Haryana, that restrict large gatherings in public area

Around 20-25 students of a leading Gurugram school had a narrow escape when a frenzied mob protesting the release of Bollywood film ‘Padmaavat’ attacked their bus. × The G D Goenka World School students were on their way home when a group of around 60 protesters, believed to be members of a fringe group, attacked the bus with bamboo sticks asking the driver to stop the vehicle. As soon as we came out of the school the bus was attacked. Even the police could not control them. The children somehow took cover inside the bus.: School staff on their school bus attacked by vandals in protest against release of #Padmavaat in Gurugram, #Haryana pic.twitter.com/4mebxa2jNB — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × Watch: From Gurugram to Mumbai, violent protests rock cities ahead of Padmaavat release Haryana: A school bus attacked by vandals protesting against release of #Padmavaat in #Gurugram (Pictures from User Video) pic.twitter.com/rAQTPJaILD — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018 × When the driver did not comply, the miscreants pelted the vehicle with stones apparently to hurt the children. The school bus staffer asked the kids to crawl under seats for safety and directed the driver to not stop it, Ravinder Kumar, PRO, Gurugram Police said. “Some of the bus windows shattered and terrified kids cried for help. Fortunately none of the children was hurt in the attack,” Kumar said. He said the situation was now under control. Also read: Padmaavat : Will Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus create magic at the box office? The attackers also torched a bus in Sohna. They also pelted stones on a fire tender and forced it back when it came to douse the fire, officials said. Despite prohibitory orders in Gurugram, hundreds of Shree Rajput Karni Sena supporters also protested at Kherki Daula toll plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway.

Watch: Anti-Padmaavat mob attacks school bus, school staff say police couldn't control them

Most would believe that &quot;Padmaavat&quot;&nbsp;makers can now be at ease with the Indian Supreme Court <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lifting-of-padmaavat-ban-supreme-court-refuses-to-modify-earlier-order-30458" target="_blank">refusing to modify its earlier order</a> on the stay on the ban on the film but the fight isn&#39;t over yet.&nbsp;

In addition to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-protests-miscreants-vandalise-ticket-counter-in-uttar-pradesh-30442" target="_blank">threat </a>posed to the film from a fringe group, namely <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/janta-curfew-in-cinema-halls-if-padmaavat-is-screened-threatens-karni-sena-30418" target="_blank">Shri Rajput Karni Sena</a>, there is a new problem in the face of people from&nbsp;Padmaavat poet, Malik Muhammad Jayasi&rsquo;s village in Amethi in Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;demanding a profit share from the film&rsquo;s earning.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-here-are-the-first-reactions-on-the-film-30455" target="_blank">Also </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-here-are-the-first-reactions-on-the-film-30455" target="_blank">Read:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-here-are-the-first-reactions-on-the-film-30455" target="_blank">&nbsp;Padmaavat: Here are the first reactions to the film&nbsp;</a>

They stake claim to the money as Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s film is based on the poem written by&nbsp;Malik Muhammad Jayasi.&nbsp;

As per a leading daily, a&nbsp;share from the earning has been demanded so that the restoration of the birthplace and research institute of Malik Muhammad Jayasi can be done.

On Monday, the local body, Nagar Palik Chairperson&nbsp;organised a program where he announced that Bhansali&#39;s film&rsquo;s earnings will come from the book by Jayasi and so the poet and his village has all the rights on it.

The Chairperson added that the village supports the film&#39;s release but expects a share in return.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, to ensure that fringe groups don&#39;t create havoc at the time of release, Bhansali has invited the Karni Sena to watch the movie and judge for itself.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The film is slated for a release on January 25 country-wide

Most would believe that "Padmaavat" makers can now be at ease with the Indian Supreme Court refusing to modify its earlier order on the stay on the ban on the film but the fight isn't over yet. In addition to the threat posed to the film from a fringe group, namely Shri Rajput Karni Sena, there is a new problem in the face of people from Padmaavat poet, Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s village in Amethi in Uttar Pradesh demanding a profit share from the film’s earning. Also Read: Padmaavat: Here are the first reactions to the film They stake claim to the money as Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film is based on the poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. As per a leading daily, a share from the earning has been demanded so that the restoration of the birthplace and research institute of Malik Muhammad Jayasi can be done. On Monday, the local body, Nagar Palik Chairperson organised a program where he announced that Bhansali's film’s earnings will come from the book by Jayasi and so the poet and his village has all the rights on it. The Chairperson added that the village supports the film's release but expects a share in return. Meanwhile, to ensure that fringe groups don't create havoc at the time of release, Bhansali has invited the Karni Sena to watch the movie and judge for itself.

Villagers from 'Padmaavat' poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's birthplace demand profit share

It&#39;s been a ritual for Deepika Padukone for all these years. Before each of her film&#39;s release, Deepika visits Mumbai&#39;s Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha. And on Tuesday, Deepika stepped out amid tight security to visit the temple and seek blessings for her upcoming film Padmaavat.&nbsp;

Clad in traditional attire, the 32-year-old took the blessings of Lord Ganesha for her film that has been plagued by controversies for a long time.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-here-are-the-first-reactions-on-the-film-30455">Also read: The first reviews of Padmaavat are out!</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeSLlqhgyKV/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeSLlqhgyKV/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Deepika padukone snapped as she arrives at #Siddhivinayak #temple to seek #blessings For #Padmavaat #movie #instalove #photooftheday #instadaily #paparazzi #instapic #manavmanglani @manav.manglani</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/manav.manglani/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Manav Manglani</a> (@manav.manglani) on <time datetime="2018-01-23T07:45:40+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 22, 2018 at 11:45pm PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Deepika Padukone leaves from Siddhivinayak temple amid high security <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/3TgL0ePRAd">pic.twitter.com/3TgL0ePRAd</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955710068971814913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-villagers-from-padmaavat-poet-malik-muhammad-jayasis-birthplace-demand-profit-share-30466">Also see:&nbsp;Villagers from &#39;Padmaavat&#39; poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi&#39;s birthplace demand profit share</a>

Starring Deepika, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles, the flick has run into trouble time and again, as members of several Rajput factions have accused director Sanjay Leela Bhansali of distorting history.

The magnum-opus is based on 16th-century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi`s epic poem Padmaavat.It is all set for a worldwide January 25 release in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.&nbsp;

Padmaavat actress visited the temple on Tuesday morning.

It's been a ritual for Deepika Padukone for all these years. Before each of her film's release, Deepika visits Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha. And on Tuesday, Deepika stepped out amid tight security to visit the temple and seek blessings for her upcoming film Padmaavat. Clad in traditional attire, the 32-year-old took the blessings of Lord Ganesha for her film that has been plagued by controversies for a long time. Also read: The first reviews of Padmaavat are out! Deepika padukone snapped as she arrives at #Siddhivinayak #temple to seek #blessings For #Padmavaat #movie #instalove #photooftheday #instadaily #paparazzi #instapic #manavmanglani @manav.manglani A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani) on Jan 22, 2018 at 11:45pm PST × #WATCH Deepika Padukone leaves from Siddhivinayak temple amid high security #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/3TgL0ePRAd — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2018 × Also see: Villagers from 'Padmaavat' poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's birthplace demand profit share Starring Deepika, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles, the flick has run into trouble time and again, as members of several Rajput factions have accused director Sanjay Leela Bhansali of distorting history. The magnum-opus is based on 16th-century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi`s epic poem Padmaavat.It is all set for a worldwide January 25 release in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.

Ahead of 'Padmaavat' release, Deepika Padukone visits Siddhivinayak Temple

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali&rsquo;s Padmaavat, the eyes do the talking. They speak of the havoc that Khilji is set to create in Chittor, they speak of the determination and grit that Ratan Singh has while fighting a barbaric army and they speak of love, pride and honour when Padmavati bids farewell to her husband. Bhansali&rsquo;s film scores because he makes the eyes speak. Amid the grandeur, the visually stunning frames- the three lead actors emote through their eyes and act out a known story set in the 13th century.

For a good part of 2017, the film has been in news for false news. Because when one watches the film, one can see that contrary to the claims made by protesting fringe groups and ignorant state governments, Padmaavat- if anything- upholds the honour of the Rajput community and celebrates the community&#39;s &#39;aan, baan and shaan&#39;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-how-sanjay-leela-bhansali-plays-to-the-gallery-with-padmaavat-30890">Also see: How Sanjay Leela Bhansali plays to the gallery with </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-how-sanjay-leela-bhansali-plays-to-the-gallery-with-padmaavat-30890">Padmaavat</a>

Through scenes, dialogues and how the story is woven- the community&rsquo;s values, its valour, the way they deal with situations, and their loyalty is highlighted in more ways than one.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/padmavati%201-20180117015638.JPG" />
<div class="media-description">
Deepika Padukone in Padmaavat. (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Bhansali creates two striking worlds- one of Alauddin Khilji which is dark, grim and unkempt. The other is of Ratan Singh and Padmavati in Chittor- which is lit up, decorated and pristine.&nbsp; And these two worlds collide when Raghav Chetan, a former priest tells Khilji that he can truly be a Sultan of Hind if he has the most beautiful Padmavati by his side and a control over the Rajputs. And Khilji, thus, becomes obsessed with the idea of acquiring Padmavati. But the man who only knows the language of loot, plunder and ruthless killing doesn&rsquo;t understand the valour, pride and honour the Rajputs stand by. He also is unaware of the righteous Padmavati and her sharp brain who would never bow down to wishes of an invader.

Bhansali remains true to his style as he narrates age-old folklore of how Queen Padmavati opted to perform Sati instead of bowing to Khilji&rsquo;s wishes in the most visually stunning way. The film is mounted on a large scale and opulence is, many of the times, a bit overwhelming. But that&rsquo;s how Bhansali&rsquo;s films always are. Grand, visual extravaganzas with dramatic dialogues and backdrops and Padmaavat is just that. Each scene is elaborate, almost perfect and like a painting making it a treat for the eyes for the greater part of the film.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/padmavati%20shahid%20deepika-20180123061232-20180123101517.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor in a still from the film. (WION)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The film&rsquo;s high point is Sudeep Chatterjee&rsquo;s splendid camera work. The ariel shots of the battle scene make you feel overwhelmed at the sheer magnanimity of the situation. The scenes where Padmavati and Ratan Singh romance are soft, intimate and make the viewer feel like an intruder, privy to the couple&rsquo;s intimate moments while scenes involving Khiljis are chaotic, dark and grey.

The story is known one but it is the actors who make the film come alive. With just a few lines, Deepika Padukone, dressed in the gorgeous costumes, looks stunning and emotes through her eyes. So does Shahid Kapoor, a formidable actor, who delivers a very restraint performance as Rawal Ratan Singh. But the film clearly belongs to Ranveer Singh as the menacing Alauddin Khilji. With a Khal Drogo-esque look, the actor creates mayhem in the lives of Ratan Singh and Padmavati. Bhansali creates a beast, who is childlike at times, maverick at others, and completely ruthless as a Sultan. And Singh transforms himself accordingly, creating a character that will remain well etched in the minds of the cinema lovers for years to come. In fact, the film is quite literally from his point of view, and his obsession with Padmavati. They could have named the film after his character, would have saved them a lot of trouble, really.

Strangely, while Ranveer and Deepika share no scene together, they do share a strange unspoken chemistry which seems missing between Shahid and the actress.

Ranveer&rsquo;s electric performance also saves the second half of the film, which drags to an extent. Because when he comes on screen, you can&rsquo;t look at anyone else. His powerful presence commands your attention. Aditi Rao Hydari, as Khilji&rsquo;s wife, also delivers a commendable performance, who is aware of her husband&rsquo;s ruthlessness and yet takes a few bold steps against him. There is Jim Sarbh as well, playing Khilji&rsquo;s manservant, a eunuch who is in love with Khilji and is a party to his plunder and ruthless killing. Sarbh shines in parts, hams in the rest.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/ranveer-20171121124129.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Ranveer Singh in a still from Padmaavat. (Twitter)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Padmaavat is also the most crisp film that Bhansali has directed in a long time. He wastes no time in establishing the plot and the narrative moves pretty swiftly. They could have done away with two songs in the second half though, where the story drags massively.

Music always remains a high point in Bhansali&rsquo;s film but the Padmaavat songs aren&rsquo;t too memorable apart from the Ghoomar song which is visually stunning. Ek dil ek jaan, the romantic ballad is the only other song that stands out. Otherwise the musical is actually dismal.Padmaavat also has the usual trappings that every Bhansali film has. There will always be a holi sequence, with colours amply thrown in the air, there will always be a sequence of a huge group of women dressed in red to add more drama and he always has Ranveer in a solo song- even though the song makes the least sense in the narrative.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8YaF2m7hCx0" width="560"></iframe>

Most people in this country will watch Padmaavat, I know. Ironically, Karni Sena has ensured that the film gets the audience in theaters. And most will not be disappointed. The story may be a very known one, some may also object at how it shows a woman&rsquo;s fate being decided by two men (if this is not patriarchy, then what is?) but everyone will agree that Bhansali&rsquo;s cinema is grand, spectacular and never really maligns the Rajputs. People will surely come out wondering what the fuss was all about in the first place. Above all, Padmaavat will reiterate the fact that Ranveer Singh can perform any role with absolute finesse.

Yes, they should have just called the film Khilji.

Rating: 2.5/5

Bhansali's film celebrates Rajput community's 'aan, baan and shaan' to the hilt.

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat, the eyes do the talking. They speak of the havoc that Khilji is set to create in Chittor, they speak of the determination and grit that Ratan Singh has while fighting a barbaric army and they speak of love, pride and honour when Padmavati bids farewell to her husband. Bhansali’s film scores because he makes the eyes speak. Amid the grandeur, the visually stunning frames- the three lead actors emote through their eyes and act out a known story set in the 13th century. For a good part of 2017, the film has been in news for false news. Because when one watches the film, one can see that contrary to the claims made by protesting fringe groups and ignorant state governments, Padmaavat- if anything- upholds the honour of the Rajput community and celebrates the community's 'aan, baan and shaan'. Also see: How Sanjay Leela Bhansali plays to the gallery with Padmaavat Through scenes, dialogues and how the story is woven- the community’s values, its valour, the way they deal with situations, and their loyalty is highlighted in more ways than one. Deepika Padukone in Padmaavat. (WION) × Bhansali creates two striking worlds- one of Alauddin Khilji which is dark, grim and unkempt. The other is of Ratan Singh and Padmavati in Chittor- which is lit up, decorated and pristine. And these two worlds collide when Raghav Chetan, a former priest tells Khilji that he can truly be a Sultan of Hind if he has the most beautiful Padmavati by his side and a control over the Rajputs. And Khilji, thus, becomes obsessed with the idea of acquiring Padmavati. But the man who only knows the language of loot, plunder and ruthless killing doesn’t understand the valour, pride and honour the Rajputs stand by. He also is unaware of the righteous Padmavati and her sharp brain who would never bow down to wishes of an invader. Bhansali remains true to his style as he narrates age-old folklore of how Queen Padmavati opted to perform Sati instead of bowing to Khilji’s wishes in the most visually stunning way. The film is mounted on a large scale and opulence is, many of the times, a bit overwhelming. But that’s how Bhansali’s films always are. Grand, visual extravaganzas with dramatic dialogues and backdrops and Padmaavat is just that. Each scene is elaborate, almost perfect and like a painting making it a treat for the eyes for the greater part of the film. Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor in a still from the film. (WION) × The film’s high point is Sudeep Chatterjee’s splendid camera work. The ariel shots of the battle scene make you feel overwhelmed at the sheer magnanimity of the situation. The scenes where Padmavati and Ratan Singh romance are soft, intimate and make the viewer feel like an intruder, privy to the couple’s intimate moments while scenes involving Khiljis are chaotic, dark and grey. The story is known one but it is the actors who make the film come alive. With just a few lines, Deepika Padukone, dressed in the gorgeous costumes, looks stunning and emotes through her eyes. So does Shahid Kapoor, a formidable actor, who delivers a very restraint performance as Rawal Ratan Singh. But the film clearly belongs to Ranveer Singh as the menacing Alauddin Khilji. With a Khal Drogo-esque look, the actor creates mayhem in the lives of Ratan Singh and Padmavati. Bhansali creates a beast, who is childlike at times, maverick at others, and completely ruthless as a Sultan. And Singh transforms himself accordingly, creating a character that will remain well etched in the minds of the cinema lovers for years to come. In fact, the film is quite literally from his point of view, and his obsession with Padmavati. They could have named the film after his character, would have saved them a lot of trouble, really. Strangely, while Ranveer and Deepika share no scene together, they do share a strange unspoken chemistry which seems missing between Shahid and the actress. Ranveer’s electric performance also saves the second half of the film, which drags to an extent. Because when he comes on screen, you can’t look at anyone else. His powerful presence commands your attention. Aditi Rao Hydari, as Khilji’s wife, also delivers a commendable performance, who is aware of her husband’s ruthlessness and yet takes a few bold steps against him. There is Jim Sarbh as well, playing Khilji’s manservant, a eunuch who is in love with Khilji and is a party to his plunder and ruthless killing. Sarbh shines in parts, hams in the rest. Ranveer Singh in a still from Padmaavat. (Twitter) × Padmaavat is also the most crisp film that Bhansali has directed in a long time. He wastes no time in establishing the plot and the narrative moves pretty swiftly. They could have done away with two songs in the second half though, where the story drags massively. Music always remains a high point in Bhansali’s film but the Padmaavat songs aren’t too memorable apart from the Ghoomar song which is visually stunning. Ek dil ek jaan, the romantic ballad is the only other song that stands out. Otherwise the musical is actually dismal.Padmaavat also has the usual trappings that every Bhansali film has. There will always be a holi sequence, with colours amply thrown in the air, there will always be a sequence of a huge group of women dressed in red to add more drama and he always has Ranveer in a solo song- even though the song makes the least sense in the narrative. Most people in this country will watch Padmaavat, I know. Ironically, Karni Sena has ensured that the film gets the audience in theaters. And most will not be disappointed. The story may be a very known one, some may also object at how it shows a woman’s fate being decided by two men (if this is not patriarchy, then what is?) but everyone will agree that Bhansali’s cinema is grand, spectacular and never really maligns the Rajputs. People will surely come out wondering what the fuss was all about in the first place. Above all, Padmaavat will reiterate the fact that Ranveer Singh can perform any role with absolute finesse. Yes, they should have just called the film Khilji. Rating: 2.5/5

Padmaavat review: Ranveer Singh shines in Bhansali's visually grand historical saga

It&#39;s not easy to write a balanced review of a film when it has been in the public eye for some months, and for reasons that have little to do with the film and are more about sectarian sentiment.&nbsp; It&#39;s quite obvious which film I am referring to, Padmaavat, which is alleged to Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s magnum opus? &nbsp;

&nbsp;

A section of &lsquo;Rajputs&rsquo; has decided without seeing the film, that it insults their community.&nbsp; Others were either dragged or got into the act. The sundry politicians, the media, sections of the public, not to forget the judiciary all had to do something with the film.

&nbsp;

So at the risk of being trolled by any or all of them, here&#39;s my take on Padmaavat.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;Sans the extreme reactions from sections of the public in the name of Rajputana glory, &lsquo;Padmaavat&rsquo; would have been just another Bhansali extravaganza, complete with his trademark grand sets, opulent costumes and self-indulgent puffery.&nbsp; Frankly, there is nothing special in the film which is not obvious to the lay viewer.&nbsp; Of course, the 3-D experience is the game changer but it depends if you want all that in a movie.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;The film is 163 minutes long, which is quite a stretch given that the current Bollywood trend favours movies that are a crisp 90-100 minutes as has been the Hollywood practice for many years.&nbsp; Padmaavat lacks the popular &quot;three-act play&quot; touch, meaning there are at least two to three turning points in the film that keep the viewers engaged. Typically, the first 50 minutes of the film will tell you where the story is going and the possible end.&nbsp; But Padmaavat stretches that, going on and on about Rajput valour for nearly three hours.&nbsp; Sound, spectacle and impassioned dialogue about honour and chivalry among Rajputs cannot sustain for long.&nbsp; In fact, it&#39;s boring.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;The film has nothing against Rajput &quot;Aan Baan aur Shaan&quot;.&nbsp; It is just about principally obsessed Rajputs, their refusal to compromise on honour or the rules of war, and their readiness to die for that. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;An unpredictable performer Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji wins your heart.&nbsp; He is a screen stopper.&nbsp; Deepika Padukone has done justice to the character of Padmavati.&nbsp; Her eyes convey the full gamut of emotions.&nbsp; Shahid Kapoor as the Rajput king Ratan Singh also leaves his mark.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;Which brings me back to the controversy surrounding the film.&nbsp; What on earth was the hue and cry all about?&nbsp; If anybody, it&#39;s the film producers and distributors who may have benefited from the protests and outright vandalism in the streets.&nbsp; Padmaavat reportedly cost Rs.200 crore to make, that money may well return with a handsome bonus.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;The film releases on January 25th.&nbsp; Theatres in many cities have reported full houses. But don&rsquo;t worry if you haven&#39;t yet managed a ticket.&nbsp; Wait a few days for reviews from the public, believe me, you may not have a problem with tickets thereafter. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

M rating: 2.5 stars out of 5.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sans the extreme reactions from sections of the public in the name of Rajputana glory, ‘Padmaavat’ would have been just another Bhansali extravaganza.

It's not easy to write a balanced review of a film when it has been in the public eye for some months, and for reasons that have little to do with the film and are more about sectarian sentiment. It's quite obvious which film I am referring to, Padmaavat, which is alleged to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus? A section of ‘Rajputs’ has decided without seeing the film, that it insults their community. Others were either dragged or got into the act. The sundry politicians, the media, sections of the public, not to forget the judiciary all had to do something with the film. So at the risk of being trolled by any or all of them, here's my take on Padmaavat. Sans the extreme reactions from sections of the public in the name of Rajputana glory, ‘Padmaavat’ would have been just another Bhansali extravaganza, complete with his trademark grand sets, opulent costumes and self-indulgent puffery. Frankly, there is nothing special in the film which is not obvious to the lay viewer. Of course, the 3-D experience is the game changer but it depends if you want all that in a movie. The film is 163 minutes long, which is quite a stretch given that the current Bollywood trend favours movies that are a crisp 90-100 minutes as has been the Hollywood practice for many years. Padmaavat lacks the popular "three-act play" touch, meaning there are at least two to three turning points in the film that keep the viewers engaged. Typically, the first 50 minutes of the film will tell you where the story is going and the possible end. But Padmaavat stretches that, going on and on about Rajput valour for nearly three hours. Sound, spectacle and impassioned dialogue about honour and chivalry among Rajputs cannot sustain for long. In fact, it's boring. The film has nothing against Rajput "Aan Baan aur Shaan". It is just about principally obsessed Rajputs, their refusal to compromise on honour or the rules of war, and their readiness to die for that. An unpredictable performer Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji wins your heart. He is a screen stopper. Deepika Padukone has done justice to the character of Padmavati. Her eyes convey the full gamut of emotions. Shahid Kapoor as the Rajput king Ratan Singh also leaves his mark. Which brings me back to the controversy surrounding the film. What on earth was the hue and cry all about? If anybody, it's the film producers and distributors who may have benefited from the protests and outright vandalism in the streets. Padmaavat reportedly cost Rs.200 crore to make, that money may well return with a handsome bonus. The film releases on January 25th. Theatres in many cities have reported full houses. But don’t worry if you haven't yet managed a ticket. Wait a few days for reviews from the public, believe me, you may not have a problem with tickets thereafter. M rating: 2.5 stars out of 5. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: There is nothing in Padmaavat to evoke violent protests

Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s epic film &quot;Padmaavat&quot; finally hit theatres across the country with an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-out-today-no-show-in-4-big-states-30703" target="_blank">exception of four big states </a>and actress Deepika Padukone shared an all-smiles photo with someone special.&nbsp;

Taking to Instagram, Padukone posted a photo with&nbsp;director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and captioned it: &quot;My Main Man, Now &amp; Forever!from both of us to all of you...We LOVE you!see you at the movies!❤️#Padmaavat&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeW3RO0hW3a/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeW3RO0hW3a/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">My Main Man,Now &amp; Forever!from both of us to all of you...We LOVE you!see you at the movies!❤️#Padmaavat</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/deepikapadukone/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Deepika Padukone</a> (@deepikapadukone) on <time datetime="2018-01-25T03:24:19+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 24, 2018 at 7:24pm PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Both Padukone and Bhansali went through a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-protesters-brandish-swords-owners-say-movie-halls-full-30721" target="_blank"> tough time</a> since the start of shooting of Padmaavat till now and continuing from fringe group&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-row-after-attack-on-school-bus-big-gurgaon-schools-shut-till-sunday-30696" target="_blank">Rajput Karni Sena</a> which threatened to create a havoc if the film releases.

Even today, there is a no-show in four states -- Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa owing to massive violence on part of the group against public property and cinema halls.&nbsp;

The group even went to Supreme Court asking for a ban on the film but the apex court ruled in favour of the makers and asked the state governments to ensure a secure environment for the film release.&nbsp;

On another note,&nbsp;Singh <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-ahead-of-padmaavat-release-ranveer-singh-writes-a-heartfelt-note-30722" target="_blank">shared a heartfelt note about the journey</a> the film has taken. &quot;I am so proud of my team. Team Padmaavat for the win!&quot;Singh wrote.

&nbsp;

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmaavat' stars Deepika Padukone alongside Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic film "Padmaavat" finally hit theatres across the country with an exception of four big states and actress Deepika Padukone shared an all-smiles photo with someone special. Taking to Instagram, Padukone posted a photo with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and captioned it: "My Main Man, Now & Forever!from both of us to all of you...We LOVE you!see you at the movies!❤️#Padmaavat" My Main Man,Now & Forever!from both of us to all of you...We LOVE you!see you at the movies!❤️#Padmaavat A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jan 24, 2018 at 7:24pm PST × Both Padukone and Bhansali went through a tough time since the start of shooting of Padmaavat till now and continuing from fringe group Rajput Karni Sena which threatened to create a havoc if the film releases. Even today, there is a no-show in four states -- Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa owing to massive violence on part of the group against public property and cinema halls. The group even went to Supreme Court asking for a ban on the film but the apex court ruled in favour of the makers and asked the state governments to ensure a secure environment for the film release. On another note, Singh shared a heartfelt note about the journey the film has taken. "I am so proud of my team. Team Padmaavat for the win!"Singh wrote.

Deepika Padukone shares photo with 'main man' on 'Padmaavat' release date

Right-wing Hindu groups intensified protests against the release of a controversial Bollywood film &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-protests-mobs-go-on-rampage-in-ahmedabad-30572">Padmaavat</a>&quot; amid heightened police presence in various states on Wednesday, a day after the Supreme Court refused to allow some states to ban the film.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-tomorrow-security-beefed-up-30596">Protests against the film</a> turned increasingly violent late on Tuesday with vandalism around a number of multiplexes in Gujarat and dozens of motorcycles being set on fire around malls that house theatres.

Groups critical of the project have accused its director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, of distorting history by portraying a Muslim ruler as the &quot;lover&quot; of Queen Padmavati of the Hindu Rajput warrior clan. The filmmakers deny the accusation.

The police had to open fire to disperse crowds on Tuesday night and protests are expected to continue in various parts of the country ahead of the release of the film on January 25.&nbsp;

In Chhattisgarh, dozens of members of Rajput community staged protests and burned an effigy of Bhansali on Tuesday evening, Rakesh Singh Bais of the community group Sarwa Kshatriya Mahasabha told Reuters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568" target="_blank">&nbsp;review: Ranveer Singh shines in Bhansali&#39;s visually grand historical saga</a>

The members of the communities and from Hindu organisations will form a human chain on Wednesday and stage a motorcycle rally to give cinema hall owners final warnings, Bais said.

OP&nbsp;Galhotra, the director general of police for Rajasthan, said they have information that members of the Karni Sena and other Rajput groups were planning a protest in various parts of the state against the movie.

&quot;We have been talking to the leaders of the Karni Sena and they don`t want to end their protest...we have decided to allow them to hold small protests, and have made adequate arrangements to maintain law and order,&quot; Galhotra said.

Rajvansh Singh, the district secretary of the Karni Sena in the city of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, said he is the custodian of the respect of Hindu Rajput women and anyone trying to depict history as fiction will have to pay a price for their mistake.

&quot;We will not allow the movie to be released, the director thinks he can change the name and release his film this makes no sense. Queen Padmini is like our goddess, no one will be allowed to insult our goddess and our Hindu pride.&quot;&nbsp;

Protests against the film turned increasingly violent late on Tuesday with vandalism around a number of multiplexes in Gujarat

Right-wing Hindu groups intensified protests against the release of a controversial Bollywood film "Padmaavat" amid heightened police presence in various states on Wednesday, a day after the Supreme Court refused to allow some states to ban the film. Protests against the film turned increasingly violent late on Tuesday with vandalism around a number of multiplexes in Gujarat and dozens of motorcycles being set on fire around malls that house theatres. Groups critical of the project have accused its director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, of distorting history by portraying a Muslim ruler as the "lover" of Queen Padmavati of the Hindu Rajput warrior clan. The filmmakers deny the accusation. The police had to open fire to disperse crowds on Tuesday night and protests are expected to continue in various parts of the country ahead of the release of the film on January 25. In Chhattisgarh, dozens of members of Rajput community staged protests and burned an effigy of Bhansali on Tuesday evening, Rakesh Singh Bais of the community group Sarwa Kshatriya Mahasabha told Reuters. Also read: Padmaavat review: Ranveer Singh shines in Bhansali's visually grand historical saga The members of the communities and from Hindu organisations will form a human chain on Wednesday and stage a motorcycle rally to give cinema hall owners final warnings, Bais said. OP Galhotra, the director general of police for Rajasthan, said they have information that members of the Karni Sena and other Rajput groups were planning a protest in various parts of the state against the movie. "We have been talking to the leaders of the Karni Sena and they don`t want to end their protest...we have decided to allow them to hold small protests, and have made adequate arrangements to maintain law and order," Galhotra said. Rajvansh Singh, the district secretary of the Karni Sena in the city of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, said he is the custodian of the respect of Hindu Rajput women and anyone trying to depict history as fiction will have to pay a price for their mistake. "We will not allow the movie to be released, the director thinks he can change the name and release his film this makes no sense. Queen Padmini is like our goddess, no one will be allowed to insult our goddess and our Hindu pride."

Padmaavat release row: Hindu groups call for all-India protest ahead of release

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-gurugram-to-mumbai-violent-protests-rock-cities-ahead-of-padmaavat-release-30621" target="_blank">&nbsp;Watch: From Gurugram to Mumbai, violent protests rock cities ahead of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-gurugram-to-mumbai-violent-protests-rock-cities-ahead-of-padmaavat-release-30621" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-gurugram-to-mumbai-violent-protests-rock-cities-ahead-of-padmaavat-release-30621" target="_blank"> release</a>

As Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s magnum-opus&nbsp;Padmaavat is all set to hit theatres on January&nbsp;25, violence erupted in several parts of the country with buses being torched and cinema halls being vandalised.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-welcomes-pm-modis-speech-at-davos-looks-forward-to-working-with-india-30649" target="_blank">China welcomes PM Modi&#39;s speech at Davos, looks forward to working with India</a>

China welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-arrives-in-zurich-set-to-land-in-davos-shortly-30369">&nbsp;Davos speech</a>&nbsp;against protectionism as being &ldquo;as dangerous as terrorism,&rdquo; saying that the two countries can fight this practice together.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-claims-attack-on-jalalabad-in-afghanistan-30653" target="_blank">Islamic State claims attack on Jalalabad in Afghanistan</a>

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack that hit Afghanistan&rsquo;s eastern city of Jalalabad on Wednesday, according to the militant group&rsquo;s news agency Amaq, though it did not provide immediate evidence for the claim.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/office-of-profit-caseoffice-of-profit-case-delhi-hc-orders-ec-to-make-no-bypoll-announcement-until-29-january-30636" target="_blank">Office of profit: Delhi High Court asks Election Commission not to make </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/office-of-profit-caseoffice-of-profit-case-delhi-hc-orders-ec-to-make-no-bypoll-announcement-until-29-january-30636" target="_blank">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/office-of-profit-caseoffice-of-profit-case-delhi-hc-orders-ec-to-make-no-bypoll-announcement-until-29-january-30636" target="_blank"> announcement until January 29</a>

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to pass any interim order on staying the Centre&#39;s notification disqualifying 20 AAP MLAs in &#39;Office of Profit&#39; case. The court also asked the Election Commission not to make any announcement regarding bypolls in Delhi until January 29, the next date of hearing in the case.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/15-taliban-militants-killed-during-airstike-in-afghanistan-30646" target="_blank">15 Taliban militants killed during </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/15-taliban-militants-killed-during-airstike-in-afghanistan-30646" target="_blank">airstike</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/15-taliban-militants-killed-during-airstike-in-afghanistan-30646" target="_blank"> in Afghanistan</a>

At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and around 10 were left wounded in an airstrike in Afghanistan&#39;s northern province of Sari Pul on Wednesday, reports said.&nbsp;

Watch: From Gurugram to Mumbai, violent protests rock cities ahead of Padmaavat release As Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum-opus Padmaavat is all set to hit theatres on January 25, violence erupted in several parts of the country with buses being torched and cinema halls being vandalised. China welcomes PM Modi's speech at Davos, looks forward to working with India China welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Davos speech against protectionism as being “as dangerous as terrorism,” saying that the two countries can fight this practice together. Islamic State claims attack on Jalalabad in Afghanistan Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack that hit Afghanistan’s eastern city of Jalalabad on Wednesday, according to the militant group’s news agency Amaq, though it did not provide immediate evidence for the claim. Office of profit: Delhi High Court asks Election Commission not to make bypoll announcement until January 29 The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to pass any interim order on staying the Centre's notification disqualifying 20 AAP MLAs in 'Office of Profit' case. The court also asked the Election Commission not to make any announcement regarding bypolls in Delhi until January 29, the next date of hearing in the case. 15 Taliban militants killed during airstike in Afghanistan At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and around 10 were left wounded in an airstrike in Afghanistan's northern province of Sari Pul on Wednesday, reports said.

WION Evening News Brief, January 24, 2018

The film industry is in no mood to compromise on its &quot;creative freedom&quot; and fascination towards history, even as the controversy around Padmaavat&nbsp;is far from over. 
 
The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film, which was originally titled Padmavati, got mired in controversy as soon as the filmmaker started shooting for the project and things took an ugly turn after the first trailer of the movie was released last year. 
 
The unending protests, however, have not affected Bollywood, with celebs such as Ketan Mehta, Sidharth Malhotra and R Madhavan still vouching for period dramas. 
 
&quot;History is a treasure house of stories. We cannot preclude history from creative endeavours. I would like to make a historical film even today,&quot; Mehta told PTI. 
 
The director, who helmed Aamir Khan-starrer 2005 historical biographical drama Mangal Pandey: The Rising&nbsp;and 1993 biographical drama Sardar&nbsp;on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, said considering the wrath Bhansali and his team faced, he will be cautious while making any historical film in future. 
 
&quot;There would be various opinions on any subject. There is no question of censoring yourself even before you start creating something,&quot; he added. 
 
Mehta believes people have become oversensitive today and they need to &quot;liberate their mind&quot; as freedom of expression is a fundamental right. 
 
&quot;People have a right to see a film, just like they have a right to vote. There is a censor board that looks into the matter of clearing films and its sanctity should be retained,&quot; he said. 
 
Producer Kamal Jain, whose next film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi&nbsp;featuring Kangana Ranaut in the title role, is based on the life of Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, said cinema has unparallelled capacity to bring history to life. 
&quot;We have a long, respectable history and cinema is the biggest medium to bring it to the people.&quot; 
 
Jain added that while making a historical film, makers should do thorough research and stay true to the subject and even if they take cinematic liberties, they should ensure sentiments of people are not hurt. 
 
&quot;History has to be thoroughly researched. I spent almost six months on research and got a lot of historians on board who authenticated the film. 
 
&quot;You need to look at the perspective. You need to respect the sentiments of the people because at the end of the day cinema will affect somebody&#39;s sentiments,&quot; he said. 
 
Actor Sonu Sood, who played the character of Rajkumar Sujamal in Ashutosh Gowariker-directed Jodhaa Akbar, said chances of a historical drama facing protests are always high, but that should not stop artistes from doing their jobs. 
 
&quot;In today&#39;s times when we try to make historical films we have to make sure that all the references are right. But, even after that one can face opposition like we have seen in the case of Padmaavat&#39;,&quot; he said. 
 
The actor, who will now be seen playing a warrior in Manikarnika..., said working in a period drama is &quot;a great high for any actor&quot;. 
 
&quot;We might find ourselves in a situation where people are opposing it but ultimately periodical films are the ones which need to be made in today&#39;s times,&quot; he added. 
 
Sidharth shared similar views and said getting &quot;scared&quot; by the situation will only &quot;defeat the purpose of why we are in the business.&quot; 
 
The actor said people should not take movies too seriously as it is a form of entertainment and does not aim at starting a revolution. 
 
&quot;... Even though the films that we make (on history), we are not trying to change history. It is unfortunate that a film like Padmaavat&nbsp;has to go through this. 
 
&quot;The threats were uncalled for, we all felt angry when Bhansali and the actors received death threats. It is sad that something like this can happen openly,&quot; he added. 
 
Madhavan and Nimrat Kaur also expressed their desire to explore the genre. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t think actors should be bound by politics in any way. The idea of being an actor and artiste is that you are a reflection of society and world and you bring forth stories to entertain the audience,&quot; Nimrat said. 
 
Madhavan believes it is still safe to do a period or historical film. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t think people should get threatened. With what has happened (to Padmaavat&#39;)... It is not right. It should not happen and is not acceptable,&quot; he said. 
 
Featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, Padmaavat&nbsp;will hit the theatres on January 25.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film, which was originally titled Padmavati, got mired in controversy as soon as the filmmaker started shooting for the project

The film industry is in no mood to compromise on its "creative freedom" and fascination towards history, even as the controversy around Padmaavat is far from over. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film, which was originally titled Padmavati, got mired in controversy as soon as the filmmaker started shooting for the project and things took an ugly turn after the first trailer of the movie was released last year. The unending protests, however, have not affected Bollywood, with celebs such as Ketan Mehta, Sidharth Malhotra and R Madhavan still vouching for period dramas. "History is a treasure house of stories. We cannot preclude history from creative endeavours. I would like to make a historical film even today," Mehta told PTI. The director, who helmed Aamir Khan-starrer 2005 historical biographical drama Mangal Pandey: The Rising and 1993 biographical drama Sardar on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, said considering the wrath Bhansali and his team faced, he will be cautious while making any historical film in future. "There would be various opinions on any subject. There is no question of censoring yourself even before you start creating something," he added. Mehta believes people have become oversensitive today and they need to "liberate their mind" as freedom of expression is a fundamental right. "People have a right to see a film, just like they have a right to vote. There is a censor board that looks into the matter of clearing films and its sanctity should be retained," he said. Producer Kamal Jain, whose next film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi featuring Kangana Ranaut in the title role, is based on the life of Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, said cinema has unparallelled capacity to bring history to life. "We have a long, respectable history and cinema is the biggest medium to bring it to the people." Jain added that while making a historical film, makers should do thorough research and stay true to the subject and even if they take cinematic liberties, they should ensure sentiments of people are not hurt. "History has to be thoroughly researched. I spent almost six months on research and got a lot of historians on board who authenticated the film. "You need to look at the perspective. You need to respect the sentiments of the people because at the end of the day cinema will affect somebody's sentiments," he said. Actor Sonu Sood, who played the character of Rajkumar Sujamal in Ashutosh Gowariker-directed Jodhaa Akbar, said chances of a historical drama facing protests are always high, but that should not stop artistes from doing their jobs. "In today's times when we try to make historical films we have to make sure that all the references are right. But, even after that one can face opposition like we have seen in the case of Padmaavat'," he said. The actor, who will now be seen playing a warrior in Manikarnika..., said working in a period drama is "a great high for any actor". "We might find ourselves in a situation where people are opposing it but ultimately periodical films are the ones which need to be made in today's times," he added. Sidharth shared similar views and said getting "scared" by the situation will only "defeat the purpose of why we are in the business." The actor said people should not take movies too seriously as it is a form of entertainment and does not aim at starting a revolution. "... Even though the films that we make (on history), we are not trying to change history. It is unfortunate that a film like Padmaavat has to go through this. "The threats were uncalled for, we all felt angry when Bhansali and the actors received death threats. It is sad that something like this can happen openly," he added. Madhavan and Nimrat Kaur also expressed their desire to explore the genre. "I don't think actors should be bound by politics in any way. The idea of being an actor and artiste is that you are a reflection of society and world and you bring forth stories to entertain the audience," Nimrat said. Madhavan believes it is still safe to do a period or historical film. "I don't think people should get threatened. With what has happened (to Padmaavat')... It is not right. It should not happen and is not acceptable," he said. Featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, Padmaavat will hit the theatres on January 25.

Bollywood game for period films even after 'Padmaavat' drama

Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s Padmaavat finally opened today amid tight security and palpable tension but audiences streamed into theatres across the country to watch the film that has the nation agog. 
 
Initial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-protesters-brandish-swords-owners-say-movie-halls-full-30721">reports suggested </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-protesters-brandish-swords-owners-say-movie-halls-full-30721">good</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-protesters-brandish-swords-owners-say-movie-halls-full-30721"> business for the film,</a> which has been the focal point of protests by various Rajput groups, which allege that it distorts their history and defames their queen Padmavati. 
 
While the occupancy in Delhi was around 60 to 70 percent for the first show at 9 am, in Mumbai it was lower at 40-45 percent.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/padmaavat-releasing-in-pakistan-without-cuts-30744">Also see: Padmaavat to release in Pakistan without cuts</a> 
 
Shows later in the day, including late night, were almost packed. Given that it&#39;s a long weekend, trade analysts were hopeful that business would be good. 
 
&quot;The response has been positive so far. We are hopeful it will increase during the day and in the evening,&quot; Mumbai-based Nitin Datar, a member of the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India, told PTI. 
 
Many of those who watched the film condemned the violence of the last few weeks, particularly the stoning of a school bus in Gurgaon yesterday, and said the film has nothing objectionable in it. 
 
In some halls, like the Satyam cineplex in west Delhi, the entire front row was occupied by uniformed security personnel. The hall also had bouncers. 
 
The Rs 150 crore Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film is a period drama based on 16th century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi&#39;s epic Padmavat. 
 
Deepika Padukone plays Rani Padmavati in the film, which also features Shahid Kapoor as Maha Rawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji. 
 
A Rajput viewer, who requested anonymity, made it a point to watch the first show in Mumbai&#39;s Cinepolis and said it was an &quot;excellent&quot; effort by Bhansali and actually glorifies their culture. 
 
He also said there was nothing offensive in the movie, or in the Ghoomar&nbsp;song. 
 
&quot;I am a Rajput and it pains me to see why people are behaving the way they are over this film. The violence, the threats, all are unnecessary and sad. We don&#39;t and can never support that,&quot; he said. 
 
Chunky Mehta, who also watched the film in the same theatre, said it presents the Rajput community in a good light and it is a &quot;shame&quot; that some people are creating an unsafe atmosphere. 
 
&quot;It is a one time watch film. But any sensible person watching the film can say that there is nothing wrong or bad in the film,&quot; he added.

Also see: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-deepika-padukone-shares-photo-with-main-man-on-padmaavat-release-date-30724">Deepika </a>and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-ahead-of-padmaavat-release-ranveer-singh-writes-a-heartfelt-note-30722">Ranveer write heartfelt messages</a> ahead of Padmaavat release 
 
Dhruv Singh, who hails from Rajasthan, which has seen several violent protests, referred to the &quot;dream sequence&quot; between Padmavati and Khilji, which several groups had objected to despite Bhansali clarifying that there was no such scene.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-controversy-rajput-women-seek-presidents-permission-to-end-lives-30710">Also see:&nbsp;Rajput women ask President&#39;s permission to end lives</a>

&quot;There was not a single dream sequence in the film so I don&#39;t know what the fuss is all about. The attack on children, burning buses is not something we Rajputs endorse. It is shameful what&#39;s happening.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568">Read Padmaavat review here</a> 
 
&quot;I would request people to not be scared and come out and watch the film. I hope the protests can finally stop,&quot; he said. 
 
Delhi audiences seemed to be in agreement.&nbsp;&quot;The movie is quite surreal. It has been shot beautifully. There is no dream sequence in the movie nor is there any scene featuring Ranveer and Deepika. The protests are wrong,&quot; Varun, a professional workng in MNC, said outside PVR Plaza. 
 
A young couple was also in the audience at the early morning show and had booked their tickets in advance. 
 
&quot;After watching the film we felt all this violence and protests are irrelevant. There is nothing offensive about the film,&quot; said the man, who asked not to be named. 
 
Priya, a college student, said Bhansali honours &quot;women power&quot; in his latest film. 
 
&quot;The way Bhansali has created Padmavati is beautiful. The female characters are really strong. I really liked Deepika in the film,&quot; she said. 
 
Banker Vineet, who was queuing up to go in, said he was not scared and would not miss the film just because of the unrest created by groups like the Karni Sena.&nbsp;&quot;I believe in the Constitution and I am not scared to watch this movie. I trust our police. After I see the film, I will also ask my friends to watch it as soon as possible,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

A Rajput viewer, who requested anonymity, made it a point to watch the first show in Mumbai's Cinepolis and said it was an "excellent" effort by Bhansali.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat finally opened today amid tight security and palpable tension but audiences streamed into theatres across the country to watch the film that has the nation agog. Initial reports suggested good business for the film, which has been the focal point of protests by various Rajput groups, which allege that it distorts their history and defames their queen Padmavati. While the occupancy in Delhi was around 60 to 70 percent for the first show at 9 am, in Mumbai it was lower at 40-45 percent. Also see: Padmaavat to release in Pakistan without cuts Shows later in the day, including late night, were almost packed. Given that it's a long weekend, trade analysts were hopeful that business would be good. "The response has been positive so far. We are hopeful it will increase during the day and in the evening," Mumbai-based Nitin Datar, a member of the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India, told PTI. Many of those who watched the film condemned the violence of the last few weeks, particularly the stoning of a school bus in Gurgaon yesterday, and said the film has nothing objectionable in it. In some halls, like the Satyam cineplex in west Delhi, the entire front row was occupied by uniformed security personnel. The hall also had bouncers. The Rs 150 crore Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film is a period drama based on 16th century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's epic Padmavat. Deepika Padukone plays Rani Padmavati in the film, which also features Shahid Kapoor as Maha Rawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji. A Rajput viewer, who requested anonymity, made it a point to watch the first show in Mumbai's Cinepolis and said it was an "excellent" effort by Bhansali and actually glorifies their culture. He also said there was nothing offensive in the movie, or in the Ghoomar song. "I am a Rajput and it pains me to see why people are behaving the way they are over this film. The violence, the threats, all are unnecessary and sad. We don't and can never support that," he said. Chunky Mehta, who also watched the film in the same theatre, said it presents the Rajput community in a good light and it is a "shame" that some people are creating an unsafe atmosphere. "It is a one time watch film. But any sensible person watching the film can say that there is nothing wrong or bad in the film," he added. Also see: Deepika and Ranveer write heartfelt messages ahead of Padmaavat release Dhruv Singh, who hails from Rajasthan, which has seen several violent protests, referred to the "dream sequence" between Padmavati and Khilji, which several groups had objected to despite Bhansali clarifying that there was no such scene. Also see: Rajput women ask President's permission to end lives "There was not a single dream sequence in the film so I don't know what the fuss is all about. The attack on children, burning buses is not something we Rajputs endorse. It is shameful what's happening. Read Padmaavat review here "I would request people to not be scared and come out and watch the film. I hope the protests can finally stop," he said. Delhi audiences seemed to be in agreement. "The movie is quite surreal. It has been shot beautifully. There is no dream sequence in the movie nor is there any scene featuring Ranveer and Deepika. The protests are wrong," Varun, a professional workng in MNC, said outside PVR Plaza. A young couple was also in the audience at the early morning show and had booked their tickets in advance. "After watching the film we felt all this violence and protests are irrelevant. There is nothing offensive about the film," said the man, who asked not to be named. Priya, a college student, said Bhansali honours "women power" in his latest film. "The way Bhansali has created Padmavati is beautiful. The female characters are really strong. I really liked Deepika in the film," she said. Banker Vineet, who was queuing up to go in, said he was not scared and would not miss the film just because of the unrest created by groups like the Karni Sena. "I believe in the Constitution and I am not scared to watch this movie. I trust our police. After I see the film, I will also ask my friends to watch it as soon as possible," he said.

Padmaavat releases amid high security; viewers wonder what's the fuss about

Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s controversial Padmaavat released in theatres today amid tight security. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-out-today-no-show-in-4-big-states-30703">While four states</a>- Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh - have decided not to release the film in their states, heavy security could be seen in almost every cinema hall in cities where the film released.&nbsp; 
 
Most morning shows saw 40-60% occupancy and trade analysts have predicted that the long weekend ahead will see more footfall.&nbsp; 
 
Incidentally, the first day also saw the film being live streamed on Facebook. A page on Facebook called the &#39;Jaaton Ka Adda&#39; streamed the entire movie on their Facebook, reported India Today.&nbsp; 
 
The live video was shared by nearly 1500 people and got 3.5 lakh views.&nbsp;The page, though, later deleted the video.&nbsp;&quot; Uploading again soon,&quot; said one post on the page.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-releases-amid-high-security-viewers-wonder-whats-the-fuss-about-30748">Also </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-releases-amid-high-security-viewers-wonder-whats-the-fuss-about-30748">see:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-releases-amid-high-security-viewers-wonder-whats-the-fuss-about-30748">&nbsp;Padmaavat releases amid high security; viewers wonder what&#39;s the fuss about</a> 
 
Bhansali&#39;s Padmaavat has been mired in controversy since the time the film began shooting in January 2017. The film was earlier scheduled to release on December 1 but owing to protests and opposition from state governments and fringe groups, the film was cleared by CBFC for a January release.&nbsp;

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial Padmaavat released in theatres today amid tight security.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial Padmaavat released in theatres today amid tight security. While four states- Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh - have decided not to release the film in their states, heavy security could be seen in almost every cinema hall in cities where the film released. Most morning shows saw 40-60% occupancy and trade analysts have predicted that the long weekend ahead will see more footfall. Incidentally, the first day also saw the film being live streamed on Facebook. A page on Facebook called the 'Jaaton Ka Adda' streamed the entire movie on their Facebook, reported India Today. The live video was shared by nearly 1500 people and got 3.5 lakh views. The page, though, later deleted the video. " Uploading again soon," said one post on the page. Also see: Padmaavat releases amid high security; viewers wonder what's the fuss about Bhansali's Padmaavat has been mired in controversy since the time the film began shooting in January 2017. The film was earlier scheduled to release on December 1 but owing to protests and opposition from state governments and fringe groups, the film was cleared by CBFC for a January release.

Padmaavat live-streamed on Facebook on the first day of its release

One day prior to the release of the epic film &quot;Padmaavat&quot;,&nbsp;27 women members of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-today-protests-continue-lucknow-man-tries-to-immolate-himself-30690" target="_blank">Rajput Karni Sena</a> submitted letters to Ratlam district administration on January 24, urging President Ram Nath Kovind to &quot;either stop its screening or permit them to end their lives&quot;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-out-today-no-show-in-4-big-states-30703" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Padmaavat releases but is &#39;no-show&#39; in 4 big states</a>

This letter was submitted following the group&#39;s belief that the Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s film presents Rani Padmavati in a wrong manner.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-row-after-attack-on-school-bus-big-gurgaon-schools-shut-till-sunday-30696" target="_blank">Also </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-row-after-attack-on-school-bus-big-gurgaon-schools-shut-till-sunday-30696" target="_blank">Read:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-row-after-attack-on-school-bus-big-gurgaon-schools-shut-till-sunday-30696" target="_blank">&nbsp;Padmaavat release: After attack on school bus, big Gurgaon schools shut till Sunday</a>

Rajput Karni Sena&#39;s Ratlam district women&#39;s wing vice president Mangla Deora said in a statement:&nbsp;&quot;Twenty-seven letters addressed to the president were submitted to the Additional District Magistrate (ADM).&quot;

Deora added: &quot;We demanded that the president should either grant us permission to embrace death, as we are not able to protect the honour of Rani Padmavati, or stop release of the movie.&quot;

Earlier, the group had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lifting-of-padmaavat-ban-supreme-court-refuses-to-modify-earlier-order-30458" target="_blank">knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court </a>to ban the release of the film in the country as it hurts their sentiments but they <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-panel-discussed-controversial-works-in-literature-and-cinema-during-padmaavat-proceedings-30024" target="_blank">had no respite</a> as the apex court denied their plea and allowed the makers to release the certified film in full countrywide.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The letter states: 'We demanded that the President should either grant us permission to embrace death, as we are not able to protect the honour of Rani Padmavati, or stop release of the movie'

One day prior to the release of the epic film "Padmaavat", 27 women members of Rajput Karni Sena submitted letters to Ratlam district administration on January 24, urging President Ram Nath Kovind to "either stop its screening or permit them to end their lives". Also Read: Padmaavat releases but is 'no-show' in 4 big states This letter was submitted following the group's belief that the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film presents Rani Padmavati in a wrong manner. Also Read: Padmaavat release: After attack on school bus, big Gurgaon schools shut till Sunday Rajput Karni Sena's Ratlam district women's wing vice president Mangla Deora said in a statement: "Twenty-seven letters addressed to the president were submitted to the Additional District Magistrate (ADM)." Deora added: "We demanded that the president should either grant us permission to embrace death, as we are not able to protect the honour of Rani Padmavati, or stop release of the movie." Earlier, the group had knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court to ban the release of the film in the country as it hurts their sentiments but they had no respite as the apex court denied their plea and allowed the makers to release the certified film in full countrywide.

'Padmaavat' release: Rajput women ask President's permission to end lives

Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s magnum opus &quot;Padmaavat&quot;&nbsp;is finally on the big screen and it&#39;s 2 hours, 40 minutes of visual brilliance.&nbsp;

The film which&nbsp;has been mired in&nbsp;controversy for better part of 2017 gives a clear disclaimer right at the beginning that it is based on Jayasi&#39;s poem by the same name and&nbsp;that it does not aim to disrespect the Rajput community and in no way does it promote the practice of sati.

With that disclaimer, Bhansali literally wastes no time in getting on with the story.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-how-sanjay-leela-bhansali-plays-to-the-gallery-with-padmaavat-30890">Also see: How Sanjay Leela Bhansali plays to the gallery with </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-how-sanjay-leela-bhansali-plays-to-the-gallery-with-padmaavat-30890">Padmaavat</a>

Delhi sultan Allaudin Khilji only knows one language - that of loot, plunder and ruthless killing. He is told by Raghav Chetan, the former priest of Chittor that only when he attains victory over the Rajputs and acquires the beautiful queen Padmavati can he be truly called the Sultan of Hind.&nbsp;

Khilji, almost possessed by the dream of having the beautiful Padmavati by his side, declares war over Chittor but clearly underestimates the valour and strength of the Rajput community and their king Ratan Sen.&nbsp;

While the story is known to most of us, it is the way the film is treated and each character is portrayed that makes a difference.&nbsp;

Bhansali&#39;s film is mounted on a huge scale and camera work by Sudeep Chatterjee is clearly the highlight of the film. Every scene is breathtaking, the battle scenes are&nbsp;shot with dynamic precision as if&nbsp;one is witnessing it live.

Among the actors, Shahid and Deepika deliver a restrained performance while&nbsp;Deepika looks absolutely ethereal in every frame&nbsp;but the film belongs to Ranveer Singh, that man owns every scene. Ranveer&nbsp;completely transforms himself as the barbaric Khilji who is a stark contrast to Shahid and Deepika &#39;s pristine presence.&nbsp;

Here&#39;s the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568">full review of &quot;Padmaavat&quot;.</a>

The film belongs to Ranveer Singh, that man owns every scene

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus "Padmaavat" is finally on the big screen and it's 2 hours, 40 minutes of visual brilliance. The film which has been mired in controversy for better part of 2017 gives a clear disclaimer right at the beginning that it is based on Jayasi's poem by the same name and that it does not aim to disrespect the Rajput community and in no way does it promote the practice of sati. With that disclaimer, Bhansali literally wastes no time in getting on with the story. Also see: How Sanjay Leela Bhansali plays to the gallery with Padmaavat Delhi sultan Allaudin Khilji only knows one language - that of loot, plunder and ruthless killing. He is told by Raghav Chetan, the former priest of Chittor that only when he attains victory over the Rajputs and acquires the beautiful queen Padmavati can he be truly called the Sultan of Hind. Khilji, almost possessed by the dream of having the beautiful Padmavati by his side, declares war over Chittor but clearly underestimates the valour and strength of the Rajput community and their king Ratan Sen. While the story is known to most of us, it is the way the film is treated and each character is portrayed that makes a difference. Bhansali's film is mounted on a huge scale and camera work by Sudeep Chatterjee is clearly the highlight of the film. Every scene is breathtaking, the battle scenes are shot with dynamic precision as if one is witnessing it live. Among the actors, Shahid and Deepika deliver a restrained performance while Deepika looks absolutely ethereal in every frame but the film belongs to Ranveer Singh, that man owns every scene. Ranveer completely transforms himself as the barbaric Khilji who is a stark contrast to Shahid and Deepika 's pristine presence. Here's the full review of "Padmaavat".

Padmaavat: Quick Review

Karni Sena, a group opposing film &lsquo;Padmaavat&rsquo;, on Monday said it was ready to watch the film, ahead of its release as offered by Bhansali productions.&nbsp;

The film has been in controversy ever since the declaration of its star cast. The Karni Sena has had reservations regarding the portrayal of Rani Padmavati played by Deepika Padukone in the film.

The film, slated to be released on January 25, has been facing protests by Karni Sena and other fringe groups over allegations that historical facts were distorted in the film.

&quot;We are ready to watch the film. We never said that we will not watch the film. The filmmaker had assured us one year ago that he will go for a special screening and now he has written for the screening and we are ready for that,&quot; Sena leader Lokendra Singh Kalvi, who was in Uttar Pradesh, told over the phone.

Earlier, Bhansali production had on January 20 written a letter to Shree Rajput Karni Sena and Rajput Sabha, Jaipur, inviting them to watch the film and assured that the film showcased the honour and valour of the Rajput community.

As per the report, Bhansali&#39;s&nbsp;letter has once again stated that there is no dream sequence or love scene in the movie between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji.

(With inputs from PTI)

Bhansali's letter has once again stated that there is no dream sequence or love scene in the movie between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji

Karni Sena, a group opposing film ‘Padmaavat’, on Monday said it was ready to watch the film, ahead of its release as offered by Bhansali productions. The film has been in controversy ever since the declaration of its star cast. The Karni Sena has had reservations regarding the portrayal of Rani Padmavati played by Deepika Padukone in the film. The film, slated to be released on January 25, has been facing protests by Karni Sena and other fringe groups over allegations that historical facts were distorted in the film. "We are ready to watch the film. We never said that we will not watch the film. The filmmaker had assured us one year ago that he will go for a special screening and now he has written for the screening and we are ready for that," Sena leader Lokendra Singh Kalvi, who was in Uttar Pradesh, told over the phone. Earlier, Bhansali production had on January 20 written a letter to Shree Rajput Karni Sena and Rajput Sabha, Jaipur, inviting them to watch the film and assured that the film showcased the honour and valour of the Rajput community. As per the report, Bhansali's letter has once again stated that there is no dream sequence or love scene in the movie between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji. (With inputs from PTI)

Karni Sena ready to watch 'Padmaavat' as offered by Bhansali

Over one million people watched Padmaavat on opening day, the film&#39;s producer Viacom 18 Motion Pictures has said.&nbsp;

In a statement, Viacom said it was &quot;humbled&quot; by the response to the film.&nbsp;

&quot;We are humbled with the response we have received for Padmaavat. Over 1 million Indians have already watched the film and occupancy levels for shows are very strong across more than 4000 screens - with most running house-full. The feedback for the film has been overwhelming,&quot; the statement said.

Padmaavat finally released on Thursday after much controversy.&nbsp;

The movie had earlier been banned by four states -- Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana -- but the ban was revoked by the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

The states had said they feared the outbreak of violence but the Supreme Court replied that it was their duty to ensure law and order.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-releases-protesters-brandish-swords-owners-say-movie-halls-full-30721" target="_blank">Protests against the movie</a> continued even as it released.&nbsp;

The protests against the movie had been led by Rajput groups who claimed the movie dishonoured their community.&nbsp;

In a statement, Viacom said it was 'humbled' by the response to the film

Over one million people watched Padmaavat on opening day, the film's producer Viacom 18 Motion Pictures has said. In a statement, Viacom said it was "humbled" by the response to the film. "We are humbled with the response we have received for Padmaavat. Over 1 million Indians have already watched the film and occupancy levels for shows are very strong across more than 4000 screens - with most running house-full. The feedback for the film has been overwhelming," the statement said. Padmaavat finally released on Thursday after much controversy. The movie had earlier been banned by four states -- Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana -- but the ban was revoked by the Supreme Court. The states had said they feared the outbreak of violence but the Supreme Court replied that it was their duty to ensure law and order. Protests against the movie continued even as it released. The protests against the movie had been led by Rajput groups who claimed the movie dishonoured their community.

One million people watched Padmaavat on opening day: Viacom

sanjay-leela-bhansali

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, News on Sanjay Leela Bhansali, stories on Sanjay Leela Bhansali, articles on Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sanjay Leela Bhansali stories at Wion, Sanjay Leela Bhansali news, Sanjay Leela Bhansali latest news

sanjay leela-bhansali