Members of Karni Sena burn posters of SLB’s ‘Padmavati’

On Saturday, members of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, burnt posters of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie ‘Padmavati’. The protestors gathered near Rajmandir Cinema Hall and shouted out slogans against Bhansali and burnt posters of the movie.

Narain Singh Divrala, Jaipur district president of Shri Rajput Karni Sena told, “While shooting in Jaipur, Bhansali had promised to show the film to us and historians before releasing it. But since then no one has contacted us, nor has the film been shown to us. We want him to show the film to the core committee of Shri Rajput Karni Sena and various organisations, including historians, before releasing it. Till then we will not allow the film to be released. If the Karni Sena core committee and historians don’t have any problems only then will we allow screening of the movie. We have come to know through media reports that facts and history have been distorted in the film, and it is unacceptable.” (Also Read: The legend that was Padmavati: Things to know about the Goddess Queen)

It all started when in the month of January, activists of the Karni Sena protested, manhandled and misbehaved with the crew of ‘Padmavati’ on the grounds that they are distorting history. They even caused damage to the equipment on sets forcing Bhansali to halt the shooting of the movie. They claimed that they have a big library and there is not a single book which says that Alauddin Khilji fell in love with Rani Padmavati or he was her lover.

Then in March, some miscreants broke the mirrors in Padmini Mahal palace in Chittorgarh Fort where it is believed that Alauddin Khilji saw Rani Padmavati. They claimed that the mirrors were created years after Padmavati lived and hence the story is entirely fake. Now, as the movie is geared up to make it to the theatres on December 1, we hope the makers are able to sail through these obstacles and get a smooth release for their movie. ‘Padmavati’ stars Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in main roles.

Inputs from IANS

Prajakta Ajgaonkar

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