Karan Johar JAved Akhtar

The backlash faced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film ‘Padmavati’ has caught the attention of the entire nation. A rumour stating that there would be a dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji has sparked this controversy. The protectors of Rajputana history have governed that such scene would malign the name of their beloved Queen and hence, they wish to ban the film. Even though the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has time and again rubbished the rumour, but the protestors seem to be in no mood to calm down.

Following this, Javed Akhtar and Karan Johar have come out in open to support the director. At a recently held event, both the celebrities have spoken in support of the film. (Also Read: Padmavati: Shahid receives backlash on Instagram as he posts a new song)

Recalling history, Javed Akhtar has said, “I was listening to a history professor on TV who said that there is a difference of 200-250 years between Khilji’s rule and the writing of ‘Padmavat’. There was no mention of Padmavati before Malik Muhammad Jayasi wrote the ‘Padmavat’. A lot of history has been written about that time. There are a lot of records available of that time but there is no mention of Padmavati in them.”

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Karan Johar, on the other hand, expressed how he feels bad for the filmmaker. “I have faced a lot of controversies before the release of a film. I feel bad for a filmmaker, who is one of the best in the country. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has made a beautiful film and I hope he is protected by the people who understand that creativity is a form of expression. He has himself said that he has made a film which is true to the story and there is nothing in it that might hurt the sentiments and sensibilities of people. I think we should trust and believe him and give this film all the love,” he said.

‘Padmavati’ releases on  December 1.

Inputs from IANS