‘Padmaavat’ Live: Bhansali Behind School Bus Attack, Says Kalvi

Agitation against Padmaavat’s release continues across the country.

• Suraj Pal Amu taken into preventive detention
• Accused in Gurugram bus attack produced in court
• Gurugram police arrest 20 for allegedly violating prohibitory orders

• Kalvi denies “rumours” that some Sena members had watched ‘Padmaavat’
• SC to hear plea to remove certain scenes from the film

• Violence erupts in Gujarat, Jammu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan as mobs vandalise cinema halls and torch cars
  
• SC rejects pleas filed by Rajasthan and MP against the release of ‘Padmaavat’
• “‘Padmaavat’ has been through so much. To see it finally releasing and the reaction it is getting is overwhelming,” said Deepika Padukone a day before the film’s release

Karni Sena Chief Addresses the Media

It’s unfortunate we couldn’t stop all the theatres from screening Padmaavat. I am requesting theatre owners not to screen the film,” Lokendra Singh Kalvi says. He appeals to protesters to not agitate during the Republic Day celebrations, but after that, protests must ensure that the film doesn’t run in any theatre in India.

He also accused director Sanjay Leela Bhansali of masterminding the Gurugram school bus attack on 24 January.

Pakistan Censor Board Clears 'Padmaavat' Without Cuts

While Padmaavat is running to packed shows and Karni Sena protests in India, the Pakistan censor board has cleared the film without cuts.

Will Watch 'Padmaavat' With Other Rajput Leaders: Sisodia

Condemning the attack on a school bus in Gurugram allegedly by Shri Rajput Karni Sena supporters on Wednesday over the release of Padmaavat, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday said he will watch the film with Rajput leaders like him and brief the people about it later.

"I am myself a Rajput. I was totally moved because of yesterday's (Wednesday) incident. This is a criminal act. I invited many Rajput leaders to discuss the recent developments and the violence (centering the movie). We are totally against these acts," Sisodia told media persons here.

"I and many other Rajput leaders will watch 'Padmaavat' today (Thursday) and see what is the reality and then will brief people about the film," he said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also spoke about the violence triggered by those opposing the movie.

(Inputs: IANS)

Zakir Hussain Downplays 'Padmaavat' Controversy

Acclaimed tabla maestro Zakir Hussain on Thursday underplayed the Padmaavat controversy, dubbing it is as media hype, over-emphasised for "TRPs and to sell the newspapers".

"There are more important issues at hand like environment that deserve more coverage," he said on the sidelines of Zee Jaipur Literature Festival, while also urging people to concentrate on the issues of hygiene and healthcare.

Hussain participated in a session titled "A life In Music" where he spoke at length about his early days as well as his tryst with music and the core values that have gone into shaping his perspectives on life as well as music.

He said that the Padmaavat controversy will die down in once the film goes out of the theatres but crying issues of environment, health and hygiene are not receiving the emphasis from the media that they should.

(Inputs from IANS)