The Padmavati row has taken yet another ugly turn. A BJP office-bearer from Haryana has offered to double the bounty on the heads of Padmavati actor Deepika Padukone and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, to Rs 10 crore. Surajpal Amu, the party's chief media coordinator not only made the announcement, but also threatened to "break the legs" of Ranveer Singh, who plays Alauddin Khilji in the film.
The film has been the eye of many a controversy ever since shooting began. Alleging that the romantic angle between Padmini and Alauddin Khilji is fabricated, politically influential Rajput groups have expressed ire. As a result, film sets were demolished in two cities, ticket windows were smashed, shops were vandalised and the Chittor Fort was blocked to visitors.
A leader of the Karni Sena stated that the group would punish Padukone in the same manner that Lakshman punished Surpanakha,Ravana's sister, in the Ramayana -- by chopping off her nose.
Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje's government has also been accused of inaction against protesters. Raje wrote to Union minister Smriti Irani, requesting her to put the film on hold in order to allow time for discussion so that controversial portions in the movie may be snipped.
In Gujarat, the BJP has asked the Election Commission to defer the release of Padmavati until after the elections, which are to be held next month.
Cartoonist: Satish Acharya
Copyrights: Sify.com
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