Padmavati controversy: Protests at Chittorgarh Fort, Coimbatore; Bollywood stands with Bhansali

Controversy over Padmavati is unnecessary, says CBFC member Khalish Masoom

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Reacting to the Padmavati row, CBFC member Khalish Masoom hit out at critics for delivering judgment on the movie without watching it. “How can it be said that the history has been distorted when no one has watched it yet? I didn’t find anything controversial with the film,” he said. 

KTS Tulsi backs filmmakers over freedom to portray controversial subjects

Filmmakers have complete freedom to portray controversial facts, as laid down by the Courts in the case of ‘Chand Bujh Gaya’. #Padmavatirow

— K.T.S. Tulsi (@MPKTSTulsi) November 18, 2017

Australian actress Ruby Rose ‘shocked’ at what Deepika Padukone ‘is going through’

Australian actress Ruby Rose on Saturday lent out her support to actress Deepika Padukone, who has been threatened of physical harm over the release of her film Padmavati.

She is “in shock” with the controversy and called Deepika “one of the strongest women”.

“I am in shock at reading what my dear friend is going through but in absolute awe of her strength and courage. Deepika you are one of the strongest women I know,” Rose tweeted. In reply, Deepika sent Rose a folded-hands emoji. 

Deepika and Rose shared screen space in 2017 Hollywood film “xXx: Return of Xander Cage”.

–IANS

After Chittorgarh, hundreds of locals block entry to Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand

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Hundreds of locals led by the Rajput community on Saturday blocked the entry to Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand district, demanding a complete ban on Bollywood film Padmavati, a day after a similar protest at Chittorgarh Fort against the movie.

The situation in Chittorgarh is normal as on Saturday, SHO of Chittorgarh police station Omprakash said.

The Circle Officer of Kumbhalgarh, Chandan Singh, said, “The protest is going on and the entry to the Kumbhalgarh fort is blocked.” Elaborate security arrangements have been made, he said.

The majestic hill fort of Kumbhalgarh is the birthplace of legendary king Maharana Pratap and an UNESCO world heritage site.

Kshatriya Mahasabha’s Thakur Abhishek Som demands Bhansali, Deepika Padukone be jailed, leave the country

Speaking to CNN-News18, Thakur Abhishek Som from the Kshatriya Mahasabha expressed his anger over Padmavati movie’s alleged “distortion of history”. He demanded that director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone, be jailed and asked to leave the country.

‘No hint of romance between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji’

#EXCLUSIVE -- Not even a single frame in #Padmavati where we can see Khilji and Padmavati together: @Zakka_Jacob #ZakkaReviewsPadmavati pic.twitter.com/dbDm3VKlOz

— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 18, 2017

Padmavati came up for review only this week, says CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi

#Padmavati's application came up this week for review. Makers admit paper work isn't complete, the disclaimer whether film is work of fiction/historical was left blank & on being asked to provide imp documents,target CBFC for ”looking the other way”. It is surprising-Joshi to ANI

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017

Journalist Barkha Dutt criticises news anchors for playing ‘judge’ over Padmavati

Threats to @deepikapadukone are an abomination as is news space given to hoodlums. But why are Anchors playing Judges & granting certifications of release. Total Pandora's box. Tomorrow if they oppose it then? And wont others also demand special screenings &veto powers? Dangerous

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) November 18, 2017

Ranveer Singh ‘stands by’ Bhansali’s vision of Padmavati

Breaking his silence on the Padmavati controversy, actor Ranveer Singh, who plays Alauddin Khilji in the film, said he fully supports director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s vision of the film. “I am 200 percent with the film and I stand by it as well as Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I also stand by his vision for the film. He had a vision and has done everything to realise it. Vis-à-vis the film, I can just request the audience and everybody else who have concerns about it to wait and watch the film,” DNA quoted him as saying.

Commenting on accusations against Bhansali for distorting historical facts, Singh said, “One shouldn’t doubt Sanjay sir; he is a magnificent film-maker and has tremendous respect for Indian culture and an enormous respect for Indian heritage and he will never intentionally hurt sentiments or do anything wrong.”

Shabana Azmi calls for boycott of IFFI over Padmavati 

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi on Saturday said the film industry should boycott the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to mark its protest against threats to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his Padmavati star Deepika Padukone.

Calling the situation “cultural annihilation”, Azmi criticised information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani for her silence on the issue.

“Smriti Irani is preparing IFFI dats possible only bcoz 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 in 1989. Cultural Annihilation,” she tweeted.

–PTI

Smriti Irani is preparing IFFI dats possible only bcoz the Indian Film Industry brings such acclaim to it but keeps quiet about Padmavati!

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 18, 2017

This is exactly like HKL Bhagat and Congress celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi in 1989.Cultural Annihilation

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 18, 2017

What does legend say about Rani Padmavati?

With the rising controversy in the film #Padmavati, CNN-News18's @Runjhunsharmas went looking for the truth behind the Legend of Padmini pic.twitter.com/YyD05uhT5Y

— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 18, 2017

CBFC unhappy about private screenings of Padmavati without certification

The way #Padmavati's makers screened it for individuals before CBFC certification isn't in good taste. There is a thin line b/w private & public exhibition of a film & this screening w/o certification sets wrong precedent. CBFC isn't happy with this attitude: CBFC Official to ANI

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017

The way people are expressing their views after watching #Padmavati, one cannot say that it was a private screening. This is not done: Top CBFC Official to ANI

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017

Udaipur’s Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar offers to mediate between Bhansali and Rajputs

Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur said it was imperative to “end the madness” surrounding Padmavati. In an attempt to calm frayed tempers, Maharana Arvind Singh offered to act as a mediator between director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the furious Rajputs. Speaking to  India Today he said, “I am ready to play mediator, people here will listen to me. But Bhansali needs to be ready to show his film to a small panel. I can help set it up. We need to end this madness.”

‘Politicians are either pandering to the violent fringe or staying steadfastly silent’

Mainstream political parties, meanwhile, are either pandering to the violent fringe or staying steadfastly silent. One would have imagined the spectre of right-wing goons running uncontrolled and intimidating everyone over the release of a Bollywood movie is a godsend for the Congress in the middle of an election season.

However, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who leaves no opportunity these days to prick Narendra Modi with his shiny new acerbic tongue, is staying curiously quiet. The prime ministerial aspirant’s Twitter feed, instead of calling for the immediate arrest of Karni Sena activists, has no mention of the word ‘Padmavati’. Has the cat got his tongue? Why isn’t he putting the prime minister on the mat over his failure to ensure creative freedom for artists?

During the controversy over Tamil movie Mersal, the Congress vice-president had warned Modi against trying to “muzzle” dissenting voices.

‘It is like conducting an exit poll before it’s allowed’

Filmmaker Piyush Pandey, reacting to Prasoon Joshi’s remarks on the pre-screening of Padmavati to editors of media houses, said “If the producers are not following due process, it is like conducting an exit poll before it is allowed for,” according to Times Now.

Prasoon Joshi lashes out

Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification, Prasoon Joshi, lashed out on Saturday at Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the producers of Padmavati, according to Times Now. 

Taking umbrage to the pre-screening of the movie for editors of media houses, Joshi reportedly said that Bhansali and the producers are using this process “to subvert the existing norm of film certification”.

“CBFC is a responsible body, and acts according to the best interests of the nation,” Joshi reportedly said, adding that in this specific case, the review came up only this week, and hence the process of certification cannot be completed with incomplete paperwork.

Shabana Azmi urges the film industry to support Padmavati

Sabki dukaan chal rahi hai under the patronage not of the fringe but of the Govt in power. Filmindustry must stand as 1 with #Padmavati

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 17, 2017

Karni Sena chief asserts ‘will not let Padmavati release’ 

Have given a call for Bharat Bandh on 1st December, won't let #Padmavati release: Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Rajput Karni Sena President pic.twitter.com/8TydtsV8nC

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017

‘Hurt and disappointed,’ says Deepika Padukone on Padmavati controversy

In an exclusive interview to  DNA, the Padmavati actor said, “I have full faith in the judicial system of our country. I know no wrong will be done.’’

Responding to the intense storm surrounding the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie, Padukone said she is hurt and disappointed as an artiste. “As a woman, as an artiste, as someone who has worked and given two years of my life to this movie, I feel hurt, I feel angry, but I also think it is extremely funny that people are reacting like this to a film. I am feeling so many emotions at this point,” Padukone told DNA.

Padmavati makers say CBFC ’looking the other way’ compelling to show film at ‘other forums’ for clearance

The makers of Padmavati have rued how the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is “looking the other way” due to which they are compelled to show the movie at other platforms.

“What an irony, those who are supposed to watch are looking the other way and we have to run around and show it at other forums to ‘clear’ it,” tweeted Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Viacom18 Motion Pictures.

Andhare further wrote: “Can screen to responsible individuals who feel aggrieved. Please come, see it yourself, nothing to hide, put an end to this saga. Let’s celebrate our heritage. We can do it tomorrow itself, we want them to stand with us support the film it celebrates Rajput pride. We have been saying from beginning. Film just finished few days back,” he added in a series of posts on 17 November.

Nothing in ‘Padmavati’ that hurts Rajput pride, says journalist Rajat Sharma

There is not a single scene, dialogue or sequence in Padmavati that may hurt Rajput pride, senior journalist Rajat Sharma said on Friday after watching the movie.

“After watching the entire film, I can emphatically say that there is not a single dialogue, not a single scene, not a single sequence that can be said to go against the proud history of the Rajputs of Rajasthan,” Sharma said on his prime time show Aaj Ki Baat.

“There is no distortion of history in the film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali who has kept in mind the need to respect the Rajput traditions and etiquette,” he said.

“Bhansali has not distorted history at all. The story of Ratan Singh and Rani Padmavati has been shown exactly as we heard and read this story in our childhood,” Sharma further added.

–IANS

Uttar Pradesh police books Abhishek Som for bounty call of Rs 5 crore on Padukone, Bhansali’s heads

#BREAKING: U.P Police books Thakur leader Abhishek Som who had put Rs. 5 crore on artistes' head

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 18, 2017

Dia Mirza speaks out in support of Deepika Padukone

The hooligans threatening to hurt @deepikapadukone should be jailed! The fact that rogues continue to use the film industry as a soft target to promote their dirty politics is appalling enough what makes it worse is that they get away with it! Every time! #Padmavati

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) November 17, 2017

Karni Sena claims founder Lokendra Singh Kalvi received threat call from Pakistan

Shri Rajput Karni Sena, an organisation of Rajput community opposing Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming movie “Padmavati”, has claimed that its patron and founder Lokendra Singh Kalvi has received a threat call from Pakistan.

“Our spokesperson received a threat call from Pakistan, asking us not to oppose release of Padmavati, otherwise Kalvi would be blown off,” Mahipal Singh Makrana, state president of Shri Rajput Karni Sena, told IANS on Friday.

Shri Rajput Kani Sena has called for “Bharat Bandh” on 1 December if Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati is released.

Sena wants complete ban on the film which according to them has a distorted version of historical facts and defames Padmavati.

Sardhana Chaubisi organisation announces Rs 5 crore bounty on Deepika Padukone, Bhansali’s head

As per a  Mid-Day report, Thakur Abhishek Som from Meerut on Thursday announced a bounty of Rs five crore on the heads of Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone for “wrongfully portraying” queen Padmini in the movie. Som, who belongs to the Samajwadi Party affiliate Sardhana Chaubisi, also added that the Kshatriya community will not tolerate people interfering with its rich heritage.

Union minister Smriti Irani on Thursday took a jibe at Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for his reported ‘maharaja’ comments amidst a row over period drama Padmavati.

Tharoor had on Wednesday reportedly said the “so-called valourous maharajas” had scurried to accommodate themselves when the British “trampled” over their honour and were now after a filmmaker, claiming that prestige was at stake.

Reacting to Tharoor’s remarks, Irani tweeted, “Did all the Maharajs (kings) kneel in front of the British? What will Jyotiraditya Scindia, Diggi Raja (Digvijaya Singh) and Amarinder Singh say on Shashi Tharoor’s comments?”

However, on Wednesday, Tharoor had taken to Twitter to say, “I’m dismayed that some BJP supporters are claiming I attacked Rajput honour…I spoke about the Maharajahs who made their accommodations w/the (with the) British. I have never made a communal comment in my life.”

क्या सभी महाराजाओं ने ब्रिटिश के सामने घुटने टेके थे??? शशि थरूर की इस टिप्पणी पर क्या कहेंगे ज्योतिरादित्य सिंधिया, दिग्गी राजा और अमरिंदर सिंह? https://t.co/1GY9RiPut4

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 17, 2017

Fresh plea filed in SC against Padmavati makers to remove ‘objectionable scenes’

A fresh plea has been moved in the Supreme Court on Friday to remove alleged objectionable scenes and registration of an FIR against the makers of upcoming Bollywood flick Padmavati.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud agreed to hear the plea but refused for urgent listing of the matter.

The petitioner, advocate ML Sharma, who mentioned the matter for urgent listing also sought a direction for removal of all scenes of alleged character assassination of Queen Padmavati from the movie before its release. 

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has sent Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Padmavati back to the makers as the application for the certification was “incomplete”.

According to the CBFC, the movie, which has triggered protests by several Rajput groups, will be reviewed as per the set norms once it is sent back to the board after sorting out the issue.

“The film was submitted for certification last week. We examined the documents, as we normally do. It was conveyed to the makers that their application was incomplete. They had to rectify and send it back, we will view it when it comes back to us,” a source in the CBFC told PTI.

“When they (makers) rectify the deficiency we will again scrutinise it once more and when the turn comes we will examine it (film for certification),” the source added.

CBFC claims the makers of Padmavati are yet to send them a revised version of the film

#PadmavatiDrama | There was a technical deficiency in #Padmavati; The makers are yet to revise it and send it back to us: CBFC pic.twitter.com/wqZUcGuaup

— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 17, 2017

The attack on @deepikapadukone and the threats to maim her are beyond repulsive. But the media must reflect on the space its given to the very Fringe its condemning today. Lawless Hoodlums & their threats dont deserve the legitimacy of prime time.

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) November 16, 2017

This is Ranveer Singh’s official stance on this matter (not)

⭐️ #FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/KCWeTgJEMi

— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) November 17, 2017

Dia Mirza speaks against the protests around Padmavati

The hooligans threatening to hurt @deepikapadukone should be jailed! The fact that rogues continue to use the film industry as a soft target to promote their dirty politics is appalling enough what makes it worse is that they get away with it! Every time! #Padmavati

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) November 17, 2017

Bollywood stands with Bhansali

Reprehensible.We demand action against those issuing these threats.CBFC is statutory body mandated to classify the film #Standwith Padmavati pic.twitter.com/wipmMSv16M

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 17, 2017

Don't people get arrested for openly threatening to behead somebody ??

— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) November 17, 2017

Karni Sena protestors in Coimbature hit the streets demanding a ban on Padmavati

Tamil Nadu: Rajput Karni Sena protests in Coimbatore against the film #Padmavati, say they demand complete ban on the film. pic.twitter.com/zNCVX5MBVw

— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017

PIL seeks formation of special committee comprising historians, activists to review Padmavati
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A PIL in Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the setting up of an expert committee of historians and social activists prior to the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama film Padmavati on 1 December.
 

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Akhand Rashtrawadi Party said the committee headed by a retired Delhi High Court Judge should include a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) member and ensure there were no “distortions” in historic facts in respect of Rani Padmavati of Chittorgarh.

The committee should ensure that no sentiments are hurt with the release of the film, said the plea.

“The petitioner has come to know from reliable sources that the movie portrayed the imaginary or fictitious character of Rani Padmavati and there is distortion of historic facts about her. No individual or a group has any right to play with the sentiments or emotions of any caste or community by distorting Indian history or a historic icon,” said the plea.

The plea said the CBFC requires to examine/re-examine the movie’s contents with the help of historians or authors with excellent knowledge of historic facts about Rani Padmavati, so that wrong or fictitious image of the queen will not go before people worldwide nor public sentiments hurt.

PIL seeks formation of special committee comprising historians, activists to review Padmavati
​

A PIL in Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the setting up of an expert committee of historians and social activists prior to the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama film Padmavati on 1 December.
 

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Akhand Rashtrawadi Party said the committee headed by a retired Delhi High Court Judge should include a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) member and ensure there were no “distortions” in historic facts in respect of Rani Padmavati of Chittorgarh.

The committee should ensure that no sentiments are hurt with the release of the film, said the plea.

“The petitioner has come to know from reliable sources that the movie portrayed the imaginary or fictitious character of Rani Padmavati and there is distortion of historic facts about her. No individual or a group has any right to play with the sentiments or emotions of any caste or community by distorting Indian history or a historic icon,” said the plea.

The plea said the CBFC requires to examine/re-examine the movie’s contents with the help of historians or authors with excellent knowledge of historic facts about Rani Padmavati, so that wrong or fictitious image of the queen will not go before people worldwide nor public sentiments hurt.

Bhansali has the right to re-interpret history, says filmmaker Rahul Rawail 

Director Rahul Rawail says filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whose forthcoming film “Padmavati” is surrounded by controversy, has the right to re-interpet history according to his imagination.

As part of protest against the film, based on the life of Rani Padmini or Padmavati, who was queen of Chittorgarh, entry to the famous Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan was closed on Friday. Many, including the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, claim the film has distorted historical facts.

Rawail feels the protesters should trust Bhansali’s judgement.  

“Is he making a historical or a semi-historical film? Either way, he has the right to re-interpet history according to his imagination. Bhansali earlier did his interpretation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s ‘Devdas’,” he said.

“He made a radical change in his film by making Sarat Chandra’s Paro and Chandramukhi come together. This was a departure from the original novel, and one that had the purists fuming in rage. But when the film came out the Paro-Chandramukhi meeting was a dramatic high point in the film."

Rawail claims to have gone through the script of “Padmavati” and says he has not encountered anything objectionable or offensive in it.

“Yes, there is nothing there to raise hackles, let alone cause a nationwide stir. What for? Let the film come out and the audience will know what’s what. Having said that, I must add that this is not about just Sanjay Leela Bhansali,” asserts Rawail.

He feels the attempt to muzzle moviemakers is epidemic.  

“When I was attacked for my film ‘Jo Bole So Nihaal’ 12 years ago, no one stood by me. Today, Bhansali is lucky he has so many people speaking up for him. We need to stand up as one voice to oppose attempts to smother our right to make the film we want. Yesterday, the victim was me. Today, it’s Bhansali. Tomorrow, it could be someone else.

“This kind of hooliganism is not going to stop unless we filmmakers take a collective stand against it."

He advises the anti-Padmavati brigade to not jump the gun.  

“Bhansali is a responsible filmmaker. He knows what he’s doing. Please trust his judgement."

IANS

#PadmavatiDrama -- Let @deepikapadukone and @RanveerOfficial have fun together but we will not allow any intimate scenes in the film between #Padmavati and Khilji: Lokendra Kalvi, President Karni Sena #JailKarniThugs pic.twitter.com/dOinkgGDrV

— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 17, 2017