Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Padmavati has been surrounded by controversy since the beginning. The movie has been facing the wrath of several groups, as they are upset with the content without even watching the film. The members of Karni Sena vandalized the sets and also assaulted filmmaker Bhansali.
Karni Sena and other groups are thinking that the movie has showcased Rani Padmavati in a bad light. They think that there is a dream sequence between Deepika’s Rani Padmavati and Ranveer’s Allauddin Khilji. The problem for Padmavati is not looking to die down soon, the protest is getting uglier and nastier every passing day.
Now, it looks like Bollywood is all set to protect their film. The Indian Films and TV Directors Association (IFTDA) along with other 20 organizations of the entertainment industry are planning a very intelligent step to support Padmavati. They are planning a 15-minute blackout in order to show their support for the SLB’s period film.
Ashoke Pandit from IFTDA added:
“We will keep showing our support for ‘Padmavati’ and SLB (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) because it is the basic right of a creative person to tell a story in his own way. Sanjay is a responsible filmmaker, and making a film on history is not something easy for him but a big responsibility. To express our solidarity (with the film), we are gathering on Sunday for a 15-minute blackout where all shooting units in Mumbai will put off lights and no shootings will take place.”
He further added,
“We strongly protest against the non-institutional bodies who every now and then protest against movies and threaten actors and makers of films. We will keep condemning their actions in a democratic manner. We have faith in our Prime Minister…for justice to ‘Padmavati’.”
Earlier this month, the IFTDA and many other organizations showed their support to ‘Padmavati’ and the makers after the protest against the film got intense. Recently, someone also announced a bounty for Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone.
Talking about it, Ahsoke said,
“We as film industry feel hurt every time such groups target our films and try to control our freedom of expression. Unfortunately, we do not get support from any other industry, not even from the government as if we are orphans as a community.”
In the meantime, Karni Sena is asking for a complete ban on Padmavati, as they think it hurts their sentiments.
Ashoke said,
“We are living in a democracy and I have faith in the government and its judiciary. These protesters have not watched the film, and Sanjay has already made it very clear by releasing a video that it is a tribute to ‘Padmavati’ and no obscene scenes are there.”
The blackout protest is titled “Main Azaad Hoon”. The event will be organized on 26th November this at the Film City main entrance at 3: 30 PM.
In the meantime, the makers have decided to postpone Padmavati, as the movie is not releasing on December 1st. The release date has not been announced as of yet.
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