Padmavati is based on the legend of Rani Padmini of Chittor and critics, mostly Rajput groups, say the film wrongly implies a romantic relationship between the queen and Emperor Alauddin Khilji.
Bhansali has repeatedly denied the allegations and recently released a video clarifying that his film does not distort history.
“If we are talking about the respect of #Padmavati, then it is our moral obligation that we respect every woman. Disrespecting an actor is uncalled for and immoral,” Union minister Uma Bharti tweeted after the Karni Sena threatened Padukone.
However, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje of Uma Bharti’s BJP is yet to comment on the threats of the group, which has also, in an open challenge to the state government, said that if Padmavati is not banned by November 17, it will stop tourists from entering the historical Chittorgarh Fort, where Rani Padmini is said to have lived in the 14th century.
Earlier this week, its members went on the rampage in Kota destroying shops and vandalising the ticket window of a cinema hall that was screening a trailer of the film.
While the Rajasthan government struggles to handle the protests, the Uttar Pradesh government of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has written to the centre saying that the release of the film can pose a law and order problem for the state. A senior bureaucrat said in the letter, addressed to the ministry of information and broadcasting that, “the censor board members should take a decision after taking into account people’s views.”
