Exclusive: Karni Sena Chief Threatens to Stop Padmavati’s Release

‘’I have warned him that he shouldn’t even utter Ma Padmavati’s name anymore,” said the Karni Sena chief.

Karni Sena Chief and Deepika Padukone from ‘Pamavati’

(Photo: The Quint)

There seems to be no end to protests and challenges to the film ‘Padmavati’. Even after the production house deferred the release of the movie, the fiasco around the movie is just not getting over.

Lokendra Singh Kalvi, the chief of Karni Sena, has claimed that he will not the film release. The group has been protesting the film for a long a time now, alleging that it depicts inaccurate historical facts that can hurt Rajput sentiments.

Kalvi has even warned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone.

In an exclusive interview to The Quint, the Karni Sena chief said:

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has cheated us. This is not only about the Karni Sena anymore. It is a matter above religion and caste. We will keep protesting against the release of the film.

Deepika Padukone in a still from ‘Padmavati’.(Photo Courtesy: Viacom 18 Motion Pictures/ YouTube)

The Rajput leader said that there was no politics behind the ‘Padmavati’ row.

He also said that there should be a “pre-censor board” to review and address issues on such movies.

On being asked why this matter isn’t being solved through dialogue, Kalvi called Bhansali a cheat. According to him, Bhansali had earlier assured them that the film will be released only after it had been evaluated by the Karni Sena. However, he has refused to present the movie for evaluation.

Bhansali has been persistently denying all allegations, claiming that the movie does not depict any kind of distorted history.

Video Producer: Hera Khan
Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim