Pune: Members of Karni Sena and various other organisations protesting against the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat’ have warned multiplexes and cinema halls against showing the movie. The members of these organisations have decided to choose a violent route if the movie is released in
cinema halls.
While addressing a press conference at Patrakar Bhavan on Saturday, Om Singh Bhati, Pune head of Akhil Rajasthani Samaj Sangh, said that Rani Padmavati holds the status of a mother in Rajasthan and Bhansali has tried to tamper history by making a romantic connection between the characters of Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji in the film.
“On January 22, we will hold a protest rally against Bhansali and his film. The rally with 4,000 people will start at 11 am from Shaniwarwada to Collector’s office,” added Bhati.
Nitin Mahajan of Bajrang Dal said that Bajrang Dal has written a letter to all multiplexes and cinema halls in the city to not run the film in their cinema halls. “If they do so despite our warning, they should be ready to bear the consequences,” added Mahajan.
Speaking on creative liberty in cinema, Bhati said that film directors can enjoy liberty but should not indulge in tampering history. “Bhansali is playing with the sentiments of people, which he should not do. The name of the film is changed from Padmavati to Padmaavat, but the story remains the same,” he added.
Ramesh Singh of Uttar Bhartiya Parishad said that though the Supreme Court has given the green signal for the release of the film, the government can intervene and place a ban on it. Milind Dharmadhikari of Hindu Janjaguti Samiti appealed to people to boycott the film. “We will take action against multiplex and cinema halls, but we will see to it that no Puneite will be hurt,” added Dharmadhikari.
