Padmavati row: Rajput Karni Sena to approach I&B Ministry for creation of 'pre-censor board'

Shri Rajput Karni Sena are planning to approach the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to demand the setting up of a pre-censor board for all historical films, in light of the distortion of history in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming period drama Padmavati. [caption id=“attachment_3283944” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sanjay Leela Bhansali. File Photo/News 18[/caption] Firstpost Hindi reports that the representatives of the organisation clarified in a press meet that they do not have any objection against any form of art but only against the misleading depiction of historical events. “Truth often gets overshadowed by the subjectivity of perception which can mislead generations of audience and result in poor understanding of history. And when comes to Bollywood, it has happened several times in the recent past, such as in the case of the film Jodhaa Akbar in 2008,” said Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Founder, Shree Rajput Karni Sena. They also expressed their disappointment in the Central Board of Film Certification who refused to resolve their grievances as they said that they cannot take any action until the film is complete and the makers send it to them for review. “We have been working for more than 10 years to safeguard the glory of the Rajput community and our ancestors. We are proud of our heritage and will not tolerate any conspiracy that compromises our self-respect. It’s unfortunate to see the Censor Board endorsing Bhansali. Few days back, when we met the censor board authorities, they told us that no action can be taken before the entire film is made and comes to us for review. However, I have personally met the director who has assured us that the film will show no intimate scenes between Ranveer and Deepika,” said Kalvi. Members of Karni Sena stormed the sets of Padmavati in Jaipur and physically abused Bhansali as they suspected a dream love sequence between the celebrated queen of their clan, Rani Padmavati, and Islamic invader Alauddin Khilji. A couple of days later, Bhansali issued a statement clarifying that there is no such sequence in the film. In order to ensure that there is no such altercation in the future, Karni Sena announced that they will approach the I&B Ministry and put forward their suggestion of a ‘pre-censor board’. It will be a panel of experts which will monitor every historical or period film in order to keep a check on distortion of historical facts. Padmavati also stars Shahid Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari and Jim Sarbh. It is slated to release in December 2017.