“As Padmavati becomes a burning controversy, people are asking why the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, most versatile Aamir Khan and most popular Shah Rukh Khan have no comments. And how come our I&B Minister or our most popular Honourable PM (according to PEW) are maintaining stoic silence. High time!” Sinha tweeted yesterday.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader also said that he will speak about the controversy keeping in mind the interest of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the sensitivity of Rajputs.
“As for me, I would and should speak on Padmavati issue only after the ‘great filmmaker, producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali’ speaks up. I speak only when I am spoken to and I will speak keeping in mind the interests of the filmmaker as well as the sensitivity, valour, loyalty of the great Rajputs,” he added.
A BJP leader has announced a reward of Rs100mn for beheading Bhansali and Deepika Padukone who plays the role of queen Padmavati.
The film is in the eye of a storm following protests from conservative groups over alleged tampering with historical facts – a contention Bhansali has denied repeatedly.
The release of the film, which was earlier set for December 1, has been deferred as the filmmakers are yet to secure a censor certificate.
The Shree Rajput Karni Sena, one of the organisations protesting against the film, said the prime minister, even though silent on the row, must have played a role in delaying its release.
As the Sena continues to gather support in opposing the film”, its patron-founder Lokendra Singh Kalvi said though the filmmakers have claimed they have “voluntarily” deferred the release, Modi must have had a “role” to play.
“The deferral of the release date has happened because of the multiple roles people have played. CMs have a role, PM has a role, and most of all the social organisations who have been protesting aggressively and passionately have made it happen,” Kalvi said.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani declared that his government would not allow the release of the film in the poll-bound state.
“There is a lot of sensitivity in Kshatriya and Rajput communities with regards to certain depiction of history. We respect their feelings and with elections on the anvil, the state government does not want any controversy,” Rupani said.
“Besides, law and order is also our responsibility, so we have decided that we will not allow release of Padmavati in Gujarat,” he said.
Rupani also said the ban was not only limited to the state assembly polls which will be held in December “but till the controversies subside”.
Asked whether he had seen the controversial movie before taking such a decision, he said it was not required. “I have met several people who have expressed anguish and anger against the movie. It has hurt their sentiments and we respect their point of view.”
Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said that the film had “distorted facts” about Padmavati and would not be allowed to be released in his state, even if it gets a censor board certification.
His Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath blamed the movie director for hurting the sentiments of the Rajput community, while Rajasthan the government has demanded that objectionable scenes be cut.
In Chandigarh, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said his government will wait for a decision of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Nobody would be allowed to hurt the sentiments of people belonging to any community, Khattar said.
When his attention was drawn to the remarks of Surajpal Singh Ammu, the chief media co-ordinator of the BJP, who announced the reward of Rs10mn, Khattar said these were his personal views and the state government had nothing to do with it.
The party also issued a showcause notice to Ammu, he said. “I understand that a complaint has also been filed” against him and the law would take its own course, he added.
