The Bharatiya Janata Party has written to the Election Commission demanding a stay on the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati ahead of the Gujarat elections, The Times of India reported on Thursday.
BJP Vice-President IK Jadeja alleged that the film “distorts history”, and said he had received representations against the Padmavati from the Kshatriya community in around 17 districts of Gujarat. In its letter, the BJP has reportedly asked for a “pre-release viewing of the film by select Rajput representatives to alleviate their raised tempers and provide fair opportunity to prevent unnecessary tension ahead of polls”.
“There are reports that makers of the film have distorted history,” Jadeja told DNA. “Rani Padmavati is presented in poor light. Our demand is that the film should not be allowed to release.” He said the censor board should review it again, and allow it to be released only with appropriate certification. “This is important so that no community is offended, and unnecessary controversies are avoided before elections,” said Jadeja.
Based on Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s epic poem Padmavat, the film is set to release on December 1. Gujarat goes to polls on December 9 and December 14.
Padmavati, featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh, had also run into trouble with the Rajput Karni Sena, which disrupted its shooting at two locations, and vandalised a rangoli inspired by the film.
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