Rani Padmavati Controversy: Myth vs Reality

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s set was vandalised by Rajput Karni Sena when he was filming at a fort in Jaipur. Post attacks, a debate has ensued involving people supporting Bhansali and those questioning the Director’s liberty to tweak historical facts in the name of creative liberty.

There were questions to be answered regarding Rani Padmavati, Ala-ud-din Khilji and the history involving the two. So, The Quint got Professor Pushpesh Pant, a renowned academician, on board to put this on-going debate to bed once and for all.

Question 1: Was Rani Padmavati a real or a fictional character?

Professor Pant: There may have been a character called Rani Padmavati but the legend of Padmavati is not entirely a historical fact.

Question 2: Did Ala-ud-din Khilji love Rani Padmavati?

Professor Pant: Whether a person named Ala-ud-din Khilji loved Rani Padmavati is a different question altogether. What we know for certain is that that there was an individual called Ala-ud-din khilji, the Sultan of Delhi who attacked Chittor and ransacked it.

Question 3: Was Ala-ud-din Khilji homosexual ?

Professor Pant: The proclivity of Ala-ud-din Khilji for same-sex relationship, eunuchs and young adolescents is well known. Actually, it is mentioned that he was eventually killed by a catamite in bed who had enough of him.

Question 4: Is the Karni Sena's attack on Sanjay Leela Bhansali justified?

Professor Pant: In this fiasco, the people of Karni Sena have absolutely transcended the limits permissible in freedom of expression constitutionally protected or peaceful assembly or dissent.

Question 5: Does Sanjay Leela Bhansali have the right to portray history the way he likes?

Professor Pant: Whenever you discuss a historical film in this country, whether it deals with Jodha-Akbar, whether it deals with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whether it deals with Baba Sahab Ambedkar, there are people who are blind devotees and self styled custodians of history and patriotism, who say no this can’t happen. And in past, the people in the film industry have not been averse to generating controversy during the shooting of the film or after the film is about to be released so it generates enough interest in the film and effects the box-office receipts favourably.

Cameraperson: Badsha Ray
Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui