Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie “Padmavati” has been in the centre of controversies since the beginning of its shooting. The sets were vandalised and Bhansali was assaulted by the Rajput Karni Sena as the group feels that Rani Padmavati has been shown in a bad light by the makers, as they showed a romantic dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Allauddin Khilji.
The Indian Films and TV Directors’ Association (IFTDA) and some other 20 organisations of film and TV industry are planning to organise a 15-minute blackout to show their support for the flick and “to protect the right to freedom of expression of creative individuals”.
Ashoke Pandit from IFTDA said,
“We will keep showing our support for ‘Padmavati’ and SLB (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) because it is the basic right of a creative person to tell a story in his own way. Sanjay is a responsible filmmaker, and making a film on history is not something easy for him but a big responsibility. To express our solidarity (with the film), we are gathering on Sunday for a 15-minute blackout where all shooting units in Mumbai will put off lights and no shootings will take place.”
He further said,
“We strongly protest against the non-institutional bodies who every now and then protest against movies and threaten actors and makers of films. We will keep condemning their actions in a democratic manner. We have faith in our Prime Minister…for justice to ‘Padmavati’.”
IFTDA and other associations came out in support of “Padmavati” and its makers earlier this month when the protests against the film increased and even prize money was announced for beheading Bhansali and Deepika Padukone.
Ashoke added,
“We as film industry feel hurt every time such groups target our films and try to control our freedom of expression. Unfortunately, we do not get support from any other industry, not even from the government as if we are orphans as a community.”
The Rajput Karni Sena is demanding a complete ban on the flick as they claim that the movie hurts their sentiments.
Ashoke said,
“We are living in a democracy and I have faith in the government and its judiciary. These protesters have not watched the film, and Sanjay has already made it very clear by releasing a video that it is a tribute to ‘Padmavati’ and no obscene scenes are there.”
The blackout protest has been titled as “Main Azaad Hoon” and will be organised on November 26 at the Film City main entrance at 3.30 pm.
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