Padmavati: Shabana Azmi demands an IFFI boycott in support of Deepika Padukone

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi has stood up in support of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati‘ which has been undergoing through a crisis situation due to numerous protests staged by various fringe groups. She has demanded an IFFI boycott in support of the movie.

Issuing a statement, she said, “The entire Film Industry in one voice must boycott IFFI Goa in protest against the threats issued to Deepika Padukone, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and ‘Padmavati’. CM Rajasthan is sitting pretty. The 1st FIR lodged is under Arms Act because there was open fire. No action taken against the criminals threatening naked violence instead she along with UP govt asking for delay in ‘Padmavati’s release because of law and order problems.! But the first vow the CM took was to firmly clear The State of its criminal elements aur film ki release hone pey ghutne tika diye?!! CBFC sends film back because some paper formalities not complete!!! Only after 63 days will the film be screened for CBFC when Gujarat election is over and done with!! Are we fools to not see through the design of fomenting unrest and polarising votes? I am very angry. Film Industry needs to take a strong, unified action and refuse to be sitting ducks anymore. If such threats had been made against any member of the political class, would the reaction have been the same? Are the people in the film industry not equal citizens of this country?” (Also Read: ‘Padmavati’ release deferred, film to not release on December 1)

She further said, “Smriti Irani is happily preparing for IFFI that is possible only because the Indian Film Industry brings such acclaim to it but keeps quiet about ‘Padmavati’! This is exactly like HKL Bhagat and Congress celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi. Cultural annhilation.” Sadly, the movie’s release has been deferred and we only hope that Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his team are able to release their movie soon enough.

Prajakta Ajgaonkar

Passionate about writing, and a Bollywood lover, she is all that is sweet and endearing! She desires to put her best foot forward in everything that she does and loves to help anyone who’s in need.