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Padmavati release has been postponed after Rajput protests

Padmavati release has been postponed after Rajput protests

Lead cast Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali have received threats from Rajput groups
20 Nov, 2017

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama Padmavati was scheduled to release on December 1, but the film has been postponed.

Filmmakers of Padmavati have pushed the release date following protests from various Rajput groups and threats to the film's lead cast Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and director Bhansali.

Also read: Will burn down cinema halls if Padmavati distorts history, 'dishonours' queen: Rajput clan

"We will announce the revised release date of the film in due course," the studio behind the film said.

This announcement came after the Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister said that the film will only be allowed to screen in the Indian state "if objectionable parts are removed," and also wrote to the Union information and broadcasting ministry that the release of the film may lead to "law and order problems" in the state.

Members of Rajput clan Jai Rajputana Sangh told cinema halls and multiplexes in Jaipur that "any distortion of history" for the purpose of the film won't be tolerated.

Due to these reservations, Bhansali had earlier clarified that the film does not contain any scenes which will "tarnish" the image of Rani Padmini. "I have clarified it before, in written and now through this video that there are no scenes in the film that will hurt anyone's sentiments."

However, this seems to have had no impact on the protesters as a few days earlier, Deepika, who is playing the role of Rajput queen Rani Padmini, received a threat from the Rajput Karni Sena who have claimed to chop off the actress' nose. In another case, a BJP office bearer has put an INR 10 crore bounty on Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and threatened to "break the legs" of Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of Alauddin Khilji.

Also read: As a woman, as an artist, I feel hurt and angry: Deepika on Padmavati controversy

In all this debate and fury, Bollywood has taken a stand and it's on the director's side.

Shabana Azmi said on the matter: 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.... I am very angry. The film industry needs to take a strong unified action and refuse to be sitting ducks any more.

Her husband, Javed Akhtar echoed the same sentiments, and said, "... the people who say they will eradicate terrorism, can't ensure that a film is released."

"For discussion's sake, even if one was to accept that somebody's feelings have been hurt, that she was indeed a historical figure, and so on, what are we doing about it? Are you going to cut somebody’s nose or chop off somebody's head? Is that how a civilised country will work?"

Comments

Rana Nov 20, 2017 04:05pm
Bollywood should not try making film on historical figure because they lack in acting,directional,story telling .Bollywood should stick to Naach gaaana for 3rd world audience of subcontinent. Asoka was one movie they made with Shaharukh and Kareena as lead.That film was a total waste and disaster acting and direction.
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Akram Nov 20, 2017 05:11pm
@Rana It is not that there is no talent to make Historical movies, but, it should not be made by the likes Bansali, Ram Gopal Verma who are misfits for making such films. Ofcourse the Nach gana in War movies, Historical movies of bollywood are a eyesore.
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Abdul awaal Nov 20, 2017 05:18pm
@Rana Unfortunate that production of Historical movies are attempted by people with least knowledge of historical facts. There has been no research on the character of Rani Padmavati, Rajput history, prevailing customs during the period.
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OTM Nov 20, 2017 05:55pm
The true face of the nation aspiring to be on the permanent seat of the Security Council! Well done! Bravo!
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Alba Nov 20, 2017 09:59pm
The protestors can't stand the light of day. The fanatics and the movie producers want to rewrite history. People are meant to enjoy historical films. What difference does it make? They want to create a goddess instead of a human being.
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osho Nov 20, 2017 10:59pm
all the historical Bollywood movies are crap, check Bajirao Mastani, Jodha Akbar, Ashoka. Big stars does not know acting in such roles. Mohenjo Daro was a disaster. Sanjay Leela Bhansaali is only known for his grand sets. Problem with Bollywood is that the director makes the actors/actress act like a dead models while in Hollywood they show enough character even in a clay/animation models.
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SYR Nov 20, 2017 11:00pm
This cinema will be release after Gujarat and Himachal election [after Dec 20], so everything is related with politics.
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kerala Nov 20, 2017 11:27pm
@OTM We have better human rights prevalence compared to China.
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anonymouseeee Nov 20, 2017 11:37pm
Nothing new here. Bollywood is famous for distorting facts in their movies to make a buck. I'm surprised that the Rajput's have such a tiny heart that they can't withstand someone else's distorted thinking.
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Waheed noor Nov 21, 2017 12:48am
Padmavati probably never existed. All this over a fictional figure. What is the world coming to?
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Dr Aslam Nov 21, 2017 04:23am
History is strange animal. Perception about past changes with change in regimes. Winners official version is written in contemporary records but suffering of common man is hidden under brute official forces. Brutality is made respectable when religious forces support it normally on its own needs to assert itself to be in sync with powers that exist. Any other version not to be accepted is hallmark of power- whether of the past or present the Animal spirit remains strong. Let us enjoy freedom whatever way it makes me Rich!! Nothing to deal with reality- movies are anything except it!!
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Athira Nov 21, 2017 05:20am
@Rana I think you are discribing lollywood, not bollywood. Because bollywood movies are beating box office in China and Turkey with its movies.
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N abidi Nov 21, 2017 07:06am
This is what happens when you give in to extreme mind set,will! This is the group that banned the pak artists and films, the BW give in to them,now they want more ! Art and artists needs freedom,to create with out fear, thus, the formula films ,of BW !
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Truth will always prevail Nov 21, 2017 11:08am
This is what is so called illiterate Democracy of the world. Nothing but sick society
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