The TV bytes were clogged with violence across a few states over tomorrow’s release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmaavat. Movie halls about to screen the film were torched, vehicles damaged and public properties vandalised, burnt or severely damaged as a fringe brigades went on the rampage. They were protesting over depiction of Rani Padmavati of Chittor’s presumed liaison with Allaudin Khilji in the film, which though was vehemently denied by the producers.
The release, originally slated for last Diwali faced several hurdles, challenges in and outside the courts and many state governments sworn to uphold the freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution of India grossly betrayed by banning the film, despite certification by the censors. The Supreme Court, which has the last say as usual, on even the most trivial matters these days, reprimanded the states that law and order must be upheld at all costs. Despite this the states, who had banned the film left it to the movie-hall owners themselves, who under threat, hurriedly cancelled the shows.
West Bengal is one of the states that dared the fringe and the shows begin tomorrow. I received an invitation for a preview today and decided to make it despite a punishing throat. I was over attentive throughout the movie and no portion of it, I repeat no portion of it could have ever meant any offence to glorious Rajput pride, notwithstanding the foxes in the guise of Maharajas and princes, who played subservient to Mughal rulers and the British. There is not one scene, which is obscene or exploitative, but on the contrary, paints a very glorious picture of the valour of Rajputs, headed by the King of Mewar, Raj Ratan Singh, played by Shahid Kapur and of course the protagonist and villain Allaudin Khilji, played effortlessly by Ranvir Singh. Ranvir dominated the film, in his negative and memorable role, depicting the ruthlessness of the Sultanate.
Deepika as Padmavati of Chittor, was at her beautiful best, all decked in ‘jadau’ ornaments and expensive lehengas. The storyline itself was weak and stale and oft repeated, but carried over the eloquent and spectacular sets, which have become the hallmark of Bhansali. A few scenes, like Deepika the Singhal princess hunting, reminded me of Bahubali one and the incarceration scenes of Bajirao.
What prompts fringe groups to target high budget films? Money is the first reason and political positioning the next. Shiv Sena used to always indulge in this and tête-à-tête with leaders always ‘resolved’ the protests. Galiyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Bahubali faced the ire of the fringes.
Our nation has gone to dogs with more and more divisions in the name of castes and sub-castes and Karni Sena seemingly has its eyes on some political quota in the elections seeking seats for Rajputs. There can be no reason for the opposition of the movie, the edition as released, in any manner whatsoever. If cinema making must face such threats it is bound to impede creative freedom.
Though the movie keeps the audience arrested for nearly three hours, I came out bloody confused as to what these rascals burning public properties are up to? Glad that I live in Kolkata and West Bengal, which has shown far more tolerance as far as creative freedom is concerned.
I add the I (Aye!) to Padmavaat, Padmavati it is!
Sampath Kumar
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