Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming movie Padmavati has given Bhansali a run for his money already. Bhansali was slapped, his crew was assaulted and the sets of his movie were completely vandalised just on the basis of a rumour.
The Karni Sena had alleged that Sanjay Leela Bhansali was distorting history in his movie based on Rajasthan’s Rani Padmavati. The Karni Sena went insane saying that Bhansali was about to screen Rani Padmavati romancing Allauddin Khilji which was an act that ‘defamed’ Rani Padmavati.
The whole Bollywood came up to support Bhansali and opposed the violence spread by The Karni Sena. No support was enough though to have any effect on The Karni Sena who kept hurling abuses at Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Interestingly by using abuses, The Karni Sena was trying to protect the dignity of women. Strange way to do that indeed!
The Karni Sena didn’t just wake up all of a sudden and started running havoc for Bhansali. Months ago, The Karni Sena had warned Sanjay Leela Bhansali about not distorting or reconstructing any historical event involving Rani Padmavati.
This is the letter sent by The Karni Sena to Sanjay Leela Bhansali regarding the plot of his movie Padmavati back in March 2016
We have come to know through various reliable sources that you are portraying an imaginary character (Alleged to be usual love story type to mint money) of Rani Padmavati of Chittor who is a famous historical ICON of Rajput’s age-old culture, valour and tradition. Hence, we wish to make it very clear that your proposed film should be based purely on authentic historical facts and not in any allegorical manner. Hence, we forewarn you well in advance that there should be no deviation or distortion of History in projection of the iconic character of Rani Padmavati and the related chronological events in the film.
We have a rich library for historical books/records and if more relevant record is required, you may seek help from us but refrain from distorting the historical facts or else you may send us a copy of the script of this film to allay the frayed tempers of the community for ongoing rumors making rounds all over the country.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali did or did not distort any historical event could have been confirmed only after the movie was shot completely. This act of violence from The Karni Sena made no sense as nobody knows what Bhansali was actually shooting.
Bhansali however has to complete the shooting of his movie at any cost and as the plot of the movie revolves around Rani Padmavati, Bhansali will have to shoot most part of his movie in Rajasthan itself. Bhansali has kept this in mind and has tried to convince The Karni Sena that he isn’t distorting history in any way.
Bhansali has sent this written assurance to The Karni Sena so that he gets to shoot his movie in Rajasthan somehow.
As discussed with you, this is to specifically clarify that there is no romantic dream sequence or any objectionable romantic scene between Rani Padmavati and Allaudin Khilji.
We have been carefully researching and making the film. We are confident that Mewar, will be proud of the film made on their revered queen. We do not want to hurt any sentiments and would appreciate if all the social organizations and local people support us in making this film and making the queen revered by the world.
Request you to please ensure that moving forward there is no unwanted action against our production, cast and crew in lieu of the said issue from members of your association and other Rajput associations. We look forward to your co-operation.
Please sign one copy of this as an acceptance of the above.
The Karni Sena was a name never heard of before this event and their high level of violence raises quite a few questions. We just hope Bhansali shoots his movie in the right essence and we get to see the real Rani Padmavati on our screens. Do let us know your views about this move from Sanjay Leela Bhansali in our comments section below.