Simi Garewal to the rescue

In a surprising move, Simi Garewal, who is a self-proclaimed diehard fan of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s cinema, has stepped forward to mediate peace with the highly influential Maharani Padmini of Jaipur, on behalf of the beleaguered Padmavati team.

Informed sources tell us that Simi, a long-standing friend of the Maharani, took it on herself to broker peace for Bhansali.

And the results are very encouraging. The Karni Sena, which is enormously deferential to Maharani Padmini, is expected to be summoned by the Maharani any time in the near future for a peace plan.

Shahid Kapoor in Padmavati

Apparently the Maharani, herself an admirer of Bhansali’s cinema, has expressed misgivings only about Rani Padmavati being shown dancing in the Ghoomar song.

In a long conversation that lasted nearly an hour, the Maharani told Simi that the Ghoomar did not exist during the time of Rani Padmavati and even if artistic licence permits such time travel for the sake of aesthetic gratification, Maharanis would not dance in public as shown in the film.

Says Simi, “Yes, I spoke to the Maharani. Like most, I care deeply for Bhansali’s cinema and thought this step would help. She exercises tremendous clout over cultural developments in Jaipur. She said there was basically one problematic point in the trailer and that was the Ghoomar. There is actually no other problem.”

Simi now intends to organise a meeting between Maharani Padmini and Bhansali.

During the meeting, Bhansali, who has met the Maharani in the past, is expected to discuss the film’s content with her. Thereafter, she will be shown the film at a private screening.

“Once the Maharani approves, the protests will automatically die down,” says Simi hopefully.