Ahmedabad: Rajput community members under the aegis of 'Karni Sena' on Sunday held massive protests in Gandhinagar and Surat demanding a ban on the release of 'Padmavati' alleging that the makers had distorted historical facts.
While over one lakh members of the community converged at a massive gathering at Gandhinagar, thousands took part in the protest march in Surat to raise their demand of staying the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Bollywood film 'Padmavati'.
The movie is scheduled to release on December 1.
According to Mansinh Rathod, who is leading the Gujarat chapter of 'Karni Sena', Bhansali has "distorted the historical facts in the movie."
"We have learnt that there is a dream sequence in the movie wherein 'Rani Padmavati' has been shown romancing with 'Allaudin Khilji'. We condemn such a heinous portrayal our queen. 'Karni Sena' will never allow such movie to hit the theatres," Rathod said.
He said not just Gujarat, the movie must not be released anywhere in the country.
"To raise our demand, Karni Sena and other Rajput and Hindu organisations called a gathering in Gandhinagar. We had also organised a protest march in Surat. It is our clear warning that if this movie gets released on December 1, there will be violent protests and government will be responsible for the law and order situation," Rathod added.
In Gandhinagar, the mega gathering of the Rajput community saw the presence of senior Karni Sena leaders, such as its founder Lokendrasinh Kalvi and national president Mahipalsinh Makrana.
"Though the release has been scheduled on December 1, we will make sure that the movie does not see the light of the day," Kalvi claimed.
According to Virendrasinh Bhati of Karni Sena, Bhansali has backtracked from his promise of showing the movie to the Rajput community to get a clearance first.
Glamourising Alauddin Khilji akin to praising acid attackers: Hry minister
Chandigarh: In letters to Union minister Smriti Irani and 'Padmavati' director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Haryana minister Vipul Goel on Sunday sought changes in the Bollywood film and said that "glamourising Alauddin Khilji's character was akin to praising those who carry out acid attacks on girls".
In a letter to the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Goel drew Irani's attention to the the controversy surrounding the film, due to release shortly. He said that apart from the Rajput community, there were concerns regarding the movie in other sections of the people as well.
The magnum opus starring Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji, is based on the legend of Rani Padmavati, a Hindu Rajput queen. The minister claimed that these concerns pertain to "whether historical facts in the film have been presented in a twisted manner".
"There is anger among the people of Haryana, like many other states, regarding the film glorifying the negative character of Alauddin Khilji rather than our own rich history," the Haryana Industries and Commerce minister said in his letter to Irani.
He also mentioned that films based on historical facts, while exercising the freedom of thought, should also keep in mind the people's sentiments and culture.
"Therefore, I request you that the film be cleared only after keeping in view the public sentiments and historical facts, and ensuring that historical facts are not twisted in the movie," he appealed to the Union minister.