In a shocking event, a man was found hanging at Jaipur's famous Nahargarh fort, reportedly in a protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati'. Identified as Chetan Saini, a local jeweller, the walls beside his body had graffiti scribbled on it that read, 'Padmavati' ka virodh'. It also featured a threat that translated, 'We don't burn effigies, we hang them'. SLB's £19 million film featuring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, has attracted the wrath of several fringe groups who claim it “distorts history”.
Even though they are yet to see the movie, leaders of the Karni Sena and other politicians say Rani Padmini has been disrespected by Bhansali merely for suggesting in his movie that she was romantically involved with Muslim invader Alauddin Khilji. While the director himself has denied any such implications, several BJP-ruled states including Gujarat and Rajasthan, have banned the movie, declaring they will not permit it to screen even if it clears the censor board. The Karni Sena has even threatened Bhansali and Deepika with violence. Both the celebrities have currently been given state security. In Jaipur, Bhansali was assaulted by the group and his set vandalised in Jaipur in January.
Filmmakers and other celebrities of the industry have condemned the threats of violence the director and actor has been subjected to. Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar addressed the controversy, saying, “We want to protect a female historical character and maim a living female. We don't like being labelled intolerant but would like a film banned without even knowing its content. We can openly threaten to behead and maim people on national television without any consequence and yet we have raging debates on freedom of speech. We're living in interesting times, aren't we?” Milan Luthria said, “It's shocking in a country which has a culture of tolerance. History will always remain what it was and an artiste can only interpret it. I hope better sense prevails and people can learn to separate and respect the two.” Producers of the film, Viacom 19 has suggested a delay in the film's release.
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