Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed new Bollywood film — Padmavati — which has been at the centre of controversy for last few weeks over its alleged distortion of history specially on Rani Padmavati, reached the twin pilgrimage cities of the State- Haridwar and Rishikesh - much before its release here on Wednesday.
Dozens of people here on Wednesday protested, which they alleged that the film has wrongly presented the historical facts in the film to defame the image of Rani Padvamati.
Leading the protest, former minister and director THDC Mohan Singh Rawat threatened to stage a sit-in along with his followers at ADM’s office to demand removal of the objectionable scenes the film is supposed to contain.
“We would not tolerate any kind of insult heaped over the legendary figures of our history. The filmmaker has denigrated the legendary queen Padmavati who embodies pious-ness and sacrifice,” he said.
He further said it was unfortunate that some people and organisations were still hell-bent on casting slur on the glorious history and tales of valour of India. “This film is another example of blemishing the image of the country, its history, legends and its culture. We would allow its screening only after the objectionable scenes are removed,” he said.
Many of the residents of Haridwar this correspondent spoke with echoed the same view.
They said the stories they had read during their school days about the valour shown by some royal personalities from Rajputana still inspired them.
“There are certain secrets which were confined within the walls of the Rajputana forts. After Alauddin Khilji took over Chittorgarh a poem singing praises of Rani Padmavati for her unparalleled courage surfaced. The popular historical reference of Rani Padmavati is cited in Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s 15th century poem Padmavati. The historians, however, rejected it as a piece of fiction. Whatever, we want this movie to be banned or at least the portions which hurt our sentiments must be removed before its screening,” said one of the protestors.
Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone will take the role of Rani Padmavati and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji,
Produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Bhansali Productions, Padmavati will release worldwide on December 1.