Violence Is Unjustified, Unacceptable: Bhansali on Padmavati Row

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been in news since the first-day of the shoot of his next big project Padmavati. First, the film's set was attacked in Jaipur, and after much debate, Bhansali shifted his shoot to Kohlapur. Here, again the sets were attacked by petrol bombs thrown by fringe groups protesting against the film.

After facing sharp criticism and violence from different Rajput groups for 'distorting' proud history of Mewar and Rani Padmini, Bhansali has released a statement slamming the attacks on his sets. The statement reads- There are too many misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding my film, Padmavati. I feel the need to clear the air once and for all. Padmavati is a film about a revered Rajput Queen and her valiant fight for honour and dignity. It’s a film that every Indian will be proud of.

My team and I have carefully researched every aspect of information available on Rani Padmavati for making the film. There was never any alleged romantic scene, dream sequence or imaginary song between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji in the script. I repeat, there NEVER was and NOR is there any such scene between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji.

While we have clarified this multiple times across various media platforms, the vandalism against the film deeply pains me. This violence is unjustified and not acceptable as it is merely based on hearsay, allegations and accusations, and not on facts. As an artist, I too believe in the freedom of expression, but I’m also aware of the responsibility that comes along with this freedom. We do not intend to hurt the sentiments of any community and can confidently say that Mewar will be proud of the film.

My team and I have met with some of the Rajput leaders, who, upon receipt of our clarification, have agreed to support us and have also signed our letter and promised cooperation in support of the making of the film. I hope this puts to rest all the misconceptions regarding the film. I take this opportunity to thank the film fraternity and the media, who have constantly spoken in support of the film and protested against any kind of violence/ vandalism against artists and their freedom to express.

In January this year, Karni Sena assaulted the crew members over alleged distortion of facts in Padmavati on the sets of Jaipur. They had raised an objection to a romantic dream sequence between Allaudin Khilji and Rani Padmini. Later, Bhansali cleared the air and stated that no such scene was being shot.

Padmavati, is a fictionalised account of the life of Rani Padmini, a legendary queen mentioned in Padmavat and 1303 siege of the Chittor fort in Rajputana by Alauddin Khilji, the Turkic ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. According to Padmavat, Khilji led the invasion motivated by his desire to capture the beautiful queen Rani Padmini, the wife of Rana Rawal Ratan Singh, the ruler of Mewar. However, Rani Padmini sacrificed herself even before Khilji could enter her fort.

The film stars Deepika Padukone as the Mewar Queen, Shahid Kapoor as her husband Raja Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji.