Shahid Kapoor breaks his silence on Padmavati

Despite the informal gag order on him, the actor minced no words as he requested those protesting against Padmavati to watch the film before passing a verdict, and wished Deepika well.

Shahid Kapoor can’t be kept quiet for long. As one of the most anticipated movies of his career, Padmavati, has fallen into trouble, Shahid forgets he has a gag order on him.

When asked if the situation has become tougher for his film to release, he rattles off, “I don’t think it has worsened. It’s taking longer than what anyone anticipated; in the normal course of things it doesn’t take so long. We were all surprised by the turn of events. Everyone is aware that the release date has been deferred. Things aren’t extremely bad, but it’s very strange that people are choosing to decide what’s in the film without watching it; it’s very weird. I have been saying all along that you have to watch the film before forming an opinion. Why do you have so many preconceived notions about the film without knowing the facts of its content?”

Shahid also comes down hard on the Karni Sena for threatening Deepika Padukone with physical harm. “It’s in terrible taste. I’m surprised there are such things being said about a lady; I’m shocked,” he says.

Deepika Padukone in a still from film 'Padmavati'

The actor says that the team has had to abandon promotions in the absence of a release date. “I had just started promoting the film with a radio trail, and it had to be stopped,” sighs Shahid. “However, once we get a release date, we will be everywhere.”

Despite the troubles, Shahid’s director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was spotted in a relaxed mood, even as he had to step out with police protection. He was seen at the Mumbai airport with a posse of cops, as he left for New Delhi to appear before the parliamentary committee looking into the Padmavati controversy.

“I’m glad you feel he is relaxed. I’ve not had the chance to meet him recently,” Shahid says. “My heart goes out to him. He’s probably the finest filmmaker I’ve ever worked with and he has tried his level best. Eventually, it’s all subjective. In a democracy, everyone has a right to their opinion and one needs to respect each other’s opinions. Do things with love because you have to believe that the person in question isn’t trying to deliberately harm us with his film. Sanjay has been at the receiving end of criticism, and he hasn’t been able to show his film. For someone of his calibre, it’s not right for him to not be able to show his film at this stage in his career. I’m just wishing and sending a lot of love and prayers to him everyday.”

Shahid has been no stranger to release controversies, with Udta Punjab falling into trouble last year too. He, however, feels that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should be the one taking calls, and not anyone else, something that happened during Udta Punjab.

“It has been a nice big circle, and we’re back to where we started from. The CBFC should be the right body to take a decision. I’m hoping that sooner than later — it’s already been pretty long — that we should get moving. I saw a lot of problems in Udta Punjab, and the film eventually released. I believe that it will be the same with Padmavati. So, I want people to see the film with an open heart, and I will respect their opinions once they see the movie,” concludes Shahid.
— Sanskriti Media