Protesters Vandalise Padmavati Set, Rough Up Sanjay Leela Bhansali

The sets of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming movie, Padmavati, were vandalised yesterday by members of the Karni Sena. The Rajput Karni Sena workers said the film was distorting history.

“We have learnt that the filmmakers are portraying the film as a love story between Alauddin Khilji and Padmini, which is a blatant distortion of history. That is why we stopped the shooting and told the makers that we won’t let them continue unless they make changes,” said Narayan Divrala, district president, Karni Sena.

The shoot, which was happening at Jaigarh Fort, stars Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. Protestors went as far as slapping Sanjay Leela Bhansali and pulling his hair. Bhansali has decided to stop filming in the area, according to the Jaipur police.

The incident has sent shockwaves in the film fraternity. "This is the time for all of us as an industry to stand by our people and fraternity," said Karan Johar.

"This is mockery of democracy. My full support to Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the crew," Farhan Akhtar said on Twitter.

Here are some other reactions:

Violence against artists expressing themselves is a cowardly crime. Govt should punish these criminals who hurt India's freedom. #Padmavati

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) January 27, 2017

What happened on the sets of Padmavati is ridiculous.
There is such a thing as creative freedom and cinematic license.

— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) January 27, 2017

What happened on Padmavati sets is appalling and heinous. Is this the state of the world.

— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) January 27, 2017

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