Padmavati Row EXCLUSIVE: Rajput Karni Sena's President Says Women Are Only Meant To Give Birth; Deepika Is 1 Lakh Percent Wrong

Rajput youth organization Shree Rajput Karni Sena today defended their strong stance against Sanjay Leela Bhansali ’s period film Padmavati while clarifying the fact that “freedom of expression” in terms of art cannot be tolerated when the feelings of millions of people hang in jeopardy. The Karni Sena demands that the film should be screened for Mewar royalty and if they find nothing offensive in Bhansali’s depiction of Rajput community, they will withdraw their protests against Padmavati.

At a press conference held in the national capital today, representatives of the organization explained that their objection is not against art but against distortion of history. “We Rajputs are proud of our heritage and will not tolerate any conspiracy that threatens to shake our self-respect, pride and honour. It’s unfortunate to see that our history is being misrepresented on-screen by a director in the name of art and freedom of speech. All we want is rectification of facts and editing of objectionable scenes in the film before it is released for audience”, said Lokendra Singh Kalvi.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati has been in the eye of the storm ever since the film’s shoot started. The film that was slated to release on December 1 has now been postponed by the makers. The film has received opposition from various political and religious organizations as they believe the film’s content is objectionable and misrepresents India’s history. According to the Karni Sena, Bhansali had assured them in writing that he will pre-screen the trailer and the movie for Rajput organizations but failed to do so.

“We are not against art, or as a matter of fact, any filmmaker who wants to narrate a period drama. But tampering with historical facts and defaming Rajput glory is something that cannot be ignored. Truth often gets overshadowed by the subjectivity of perception which can mislead generations of audience and result in poor understanding of history”, added Lokendra Singh Kalvi. 

The film starring Deepika Padukone , Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead roles is based on the epic poem “Padmavat” which narrates the tale of Allaudin Khilji’s invasion of Rajputana in order to capture Rani Padmini, the legendary queen renowned for her extraordinary beauty. It is believed, that Rani Padmini committed ‘Jauhar’, an act of self immolation with 16,000 royal women in order to safeguard her pride and honor. The tales of Rani Padmini’s sacrifice and valor have led her to attain a goddess like status in various parts of Rajasthan and her inappropriate depiction in Bhansali’s film has fueled major agitation among various political, regional and religious communities. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the interviewee are his own. Desimartini does not endorse any ideology in this article. 

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