“We will hold rallies across the country, including Gurugram, Patna, Lucknow and Bhopal before the release date,” Lokendra Singh Kalvi, founder-patron of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, told reports in Jaipur.
He said all communities, including Muslims, supported the Sena on the issue.
“We demand a complete ban on the film. Now, we don’t want any pre-screening of the movie. All we want is a ban,” he said.
He claimed that according to the Cinematography Act, the government can withhold the release of a movie for three months even after a go-ahead by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and it can be extended further.
“We request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter,” Kalvi said.
Bhansali has been facing the ire of various groups and self-styled experts on what they term as ‘erroneous’ depiction of Rajput queen Rani Padmavati.
There have been protests and violence against Bhansali and opposition to the film right from the time it was being shot at various locales in different parts of India and now, as it prepares for release globally soon.
However, the entire film fraternity and civil society members have expressed support to Bhansali.
The Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) has thanked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for providing security cover to Bhansali, who lives and works in Mumbai.
“We commend your assurance to keep the law and order situation in control, and that speaks volumes of the efficiency of your staff and the police personnel,” filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, on behalf of the fraternity, said in a letter to Fadnavis.
Pandit also urged the state government to “help the victim” release his film without anybody’s intrusion.
Rajasthan State Commission for Women chief Suman Sharma, in a letter, urged CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi to watch the movie and ensure there was no assault on the dignity of women through the film. Sharma also demanded that women from the Rajput community too should be included in the pre-screening of the movie.
Joshi yesterday said he has not yet watched the film, contrary to reports.
“The speculative reports a few publications are carrying about I having watched Padmavati are absolutely baseless and untrue. I have not watched the film, not expressed any views regarding it. The film will follow the due process at CBFC.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Rajasthan unit chief Ashok Parnami said the state government will not tolerate any distortion of historical facts.
Heena Singh Judeo, daughter-in-law of Dilip Singh Judeo of Chhattisgarh’s erstwhile royal family, expressed dissent over the depiction of a Rajput queen in the movie.
“History has witnessed that none of the Rajput maharanis has ever danced in front of anyone, and they cannot play with history,” she said, referring to the Ghoomar song which features the film’s lead actress Deepika Padukone.
