Padmavati row: Bhansali presents his point of view before the parliamentary panel

The movie ‘Padmavati’ has been a hub of controversies ever since its announcement. The protests against the movie reached its peak when members of a certain Karni Sena slapped Sanjay Leela Bhansali and vandalised the sets during its shoot, and then went on to create a ruckus by placing bounty on his and Deepika Padukone’s (who plays the titular role) heads. And all this for a rumoured scene between Alauddin Khilji (played by Ranveer Singh) and the Goddess queen, which the makers repeatedly denied being in the movie. The song ‘Ghoomar’ and even the graceful and queenly dance of Deepika irked these protectors of culture more, and even Rajput women came out protesting against the movie.

After politicians gave some nonsensical statements and some CMs even went on to ban the movie in their respective states, the Supreme Court stated that no public office holder has the right to ban or say anything against a movie and only CBFC has the right to judge the same. However, it seems to have fallen on deaf years, as a full-fledged panel of 30 political leaders called Bhansali to speak up in his defence.and that of the movie. (Also Read: Padmavati: Look who is grooving to the tunes of ‘Ghoomar’)

As per an agency, Bhansali, who appeared before the panel along with lyricist and now the CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi, was grilled for over two hours by the panel who repeatedly asked him for justifications, while he repeated that controversies are just based on rumours and nothing else. The filmmaker also stated that he has depicted the queen in her full glory, and that his movie is based on the poem ‘Padmavat’ written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi.

“All the controversy over the film is based on rumours. I have not distorted facts. The film is based on a poem by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. We don’t intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments,” Bhansali told the panel, which was led by some of the prominent BJP members like LK Advani, Raj Babbar, Anurag Thakur, and more.

He was even questioned about his decision of showing the movie to a certain section of media. The panel has given him time till December 14, to reply.

Well, let’s see what will be the fate of the movie, the release date of which has already been deferred indefinitely.

Inputs from IANS

Kadambari Srivastava

Grammar Nazi, word weaver, dreamer, bibliophile, technophile, caffeine addict, foodie, shuttling shopaholic! Mash it in a Bollywood recipe and voila! Pushpa, you’ve got her!