November 20, 2017
In a new twist to the 'Padmavati' row, Shiv Sena
President Uddhav Thackeray has spoken to Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Leela
Bhansali on his upcoming film, a top party official said here on Monday.
Thackeray's conversation with Bhansali came during a meeting with some top
Rajput community leaders who called on the Sena chief on Monday, seeking his
intervention in the matter.
"We have made it clear that an amicable
solution must be reached which does not harm the interests of the community. If
Rajputs have objections to any scenes, then Bhansali must do the needful," Sena
MP Sanjay Raut said in a briefing later.
He said that Rajput queen
Padmavati was a source of pride for not only the people of Rajasthan but the
Hindus all over the country, who admire her valour and special place in the
Indian history.
According to Raut, the Rajput community leaders apprised
Thackeray of the ongoing nationwide controversy on "Padmavati" and sought his
intervention to ensure that nothing offensive to the community was allowed to be
shown through the film.
The meeting came amidst a raging row over the
content of the film. Certain scenes and sequences, including a dance number by
Queen Padmavati, and some other aspects of the movie have angered the Rajput
community who term it as "erroneous" and "insulting" depiction.
Bhansali
attempted to clear the air by screening it for a few media persons even as the
film awaits Central Board for Film Certification, but this further angered the
community.
Community leader and Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Raj
Purohit has demanded that Bhansali write to the community and arrange a special
screening for them.
"Only after the community is fully satisfied that
there is no objectionable content in the film, they will permit its release," he
stated.