Ranveer Stands by Bhansali, Shabana Azmi Calls for Boycott of IFFI

Ranveer Singh, Shabana Azmi and even Deepika’s Hollywood co-star Ruby Rose stands by ‘Padmavati’.

Ranveer Singh plays Alauddin Khilji and Deepika Padukone is Rani Padmavati in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s controversial film. 

(Photo Courtesy: Yogen Shah)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati starring Deepika Padukone is embroiled in a spate of controversies. While the Karni Sena is opposing the release of the film because apparently it distorts history and hurts their cultural sentiments, the Sardhana Chaubisi has announced a Rs 5 crore bounty on Deepika Padukone and Bhansali's head.

While Bollywood has largely been silent about this controversy and the threats issued to Deepika and Bhansali, a few actors have come out to show their support to their colleagues.

Ranveer Singh 'Stands By' Bhansali's Vision of Padmavati

Ranveer Singh spoke to DNA about the ongoing controversy and said that he stands by Bhansali’s vision of Padmavati.

“I am 200 percent with the film and I stand by it as well as Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I also stand by his vision for the film. He had a vision and has done everything to realise it. Vis-à-vis the film, I can just request the audience and everybody else who have concerns about it to wait and watch the film.”

Ranveer Singh, Actor

Commenting on the accusations against Bhansali for distorting historical facts the actor said,

“One shouldn’t doubt Sanjay sir; he is a magnificent film-maker and has tremendous respect for Indian culture and an enormous respect for Indian heritage and he will never intentionally hurt sentiments or do anything wrong.”

Ranveer Singh, Actor

Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji in Padmavati. (Photo courtesy: YouTube Screenshot)

Shabana Azmi Calls for Boycott of IFFI Over Padmavati

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi took to Twitter and said that the film industry should boycott the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to mark its protest against threats to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his Padmavati star Deepika Padukone.

Calling the situation "cultural annihilation", Azmi criticised information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani for her silence on the issue.

She also expressed her shock about the CBFC sending back Padmavati’s application because of incomplete formalities.

Azmi told The Quint that the entire film industry must boycott IFFI Goa in unison, in protest against the threats issued to Deepika Padukone, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Padmavati. She likened the events to ‘cultural annihilation’ and raised a pertinent question - Are the people in the film industry not equal citizens of this country?

She went on to vehemently elaborate, “CM Rajasthan is sitting pretty. The first FIR lodged was under the Arms Act because there was open fire. No action was taken against the criminals threatening naked violence. Instead, she and the CM of UP are asking for delay in Padmavati’s release because of law and order problems! But the first vow the CM took was to firmly clear the State of its criminal elements aur film ki release hone pey ghutne tika diye?!!” She expressed disbelief at how CBFC sends film back because of incomplete paper formalities.

“Only after 63 days will the film be screened for CBFC when Gujarat election is over and done with!! Are we fools to not see through the design of fomenting unrest and polarising votes? I am very angry. The film industry needs to take strong unified action and refuse to be sitting ducks. If such threats had been made against any member of the political class, would the reaction have been the same? Smriti Irani is happily preparing for IFFI. That is possible only because the Indian film industry brings such acclaim to it but keeps quiet about Padmavati! This is exactly like HKL Bhagat and Congress celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi. ”

Shabana Azmi

Film journalist and critic Anupama Chopra also tweeted about bringing up the Padmavati controversy during IFFI.

Other Celebs Supporting Padmavati

And not just Bollywood, even Deepika’s Hollywood co-star Ruby Rose (of xXx) took to social media to stand by Padukone. The actor said she is in awe of Deepika’s strength and courage.

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