Jaipur royals oppose Padmavati release

Jaipur: An erstwhile royal family of Jaipur has warned that Padmavati will not be released if it does not depict history authentically and takes liberty with facts.

“No filmmaker should take liberties of distorting the facts which will not be acceptable for the people of the country,” BJP MLA and member of the royal family Diya Kumari said on Wednesday.

“The tale of Maharani Padmavati of Chittor and the 1600 women who committed Jauhar along with her is a testimony of extreme valour and courage of which history has rarely been the witness. Any attempt to distort the history or twist the facts will be a collective insult to the women of this country who have immense pride in the sacrifice made by Rani Padmavati and the brave women with her,” she added.  

Interestingly, Deepika had been hosted by erstwhile Jaipur royals while promoting Bajirao Mastani another Bhansali film whichtoo had attracted controversy.

Rajmata Padmini Devi, present at the media briefing, said that when Bhansali started with Padmavati shooting, he had agreed to screen the film before us. However, he has backed out of his commitment, she added.

The film distributors in Rajasthan have refused to release the film in cinema halls “the matter is sorted between the Karni Sena members and Bhansali”.

Former Congress MLA and president of Jaipur district Congress committee Pratap Singh Khachariyawas also demanded ban on the film.

“If the movie distorts history, then it is the responsibility of the Central and state government to ban it. The government is mistaken if it believes that it can screen the movie with distorted history,” he said.

The Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha, has decided to oppose the film’s release.

Suresh Mishra, president, Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha, said, “It’s about Rajasthan’s history and culture. How can we let somebody spoil the name of our motherland? We have stood in support of the Rajput leaders and will not let the film run.”

Interestingly, another royal personality Rukshmani Kumari of Chomu Thikana has taken a contrasting view. According to her, the film should be allowed to release to let people know about Rani Padmini’s valour. “The film should not be opposed unnecessarily. If the film released only then people would know how she did not compromise with her honour instead chose to sacrifice her life,” she said adding that how can one presume that there would be intimate scenes in the film. However, Rukshmani Kumari said that if there is any such scene, it should be removed. But, she didn’t see wrong in Rani Padmini shown doing ghoomar dance.