Even as self-proclaimed Rajput leaders hand out terrifying threats calling for violence against Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali over the movie ‘Padmavati’, senior TV journalists Rajat Sharma and Arnab Goswami have come in support of the movie.
After a special screening held by the film’s producers for a few journalists including Arnab, Arnab backed the movie, calling it the ‘greatest ever tribute to Rajput pride’. Arnab said on his primetime show that every scene in the movies is a ‘cinematic tribute’ to ‘Rani Padmavati’s greatness’. (Most popularly known stories about Padmavati are fictitious and many historians reject the ‘legend’ of Padmavati.)
“This Karni Sena will be left looking utterly foolish once the movie hits the box office,” he said, adding that the violent protesters will look like clowns and vandals.
“The BJP should really reconsider the prospect of embarrassing themselves by joining the Karni Sena side,” he added.
#RepublicWatchesPadmavati | We've watched Padmavati. Get the real story here - https://t.co/lpnVZxoMbs pic.twitter.com/rORePkheBC
— Republic (@republic) November 17, 2017
Meanwhile, the makers of "Padmavati" have rued how the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is "looking the other way" due to which they are compelled to show the movie at other platforms.
"What an irony, those who are supposed to watch are looking the other way and we have to run around and show it at other forums to 'clear' it," tweeted Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Motion Pictures.
The banner has produced "Padmavati", scheduled to release on December 1, with Bhansali Productions and it will distribute the film in India.
The Censor board has reportedly sent back the film's application for certification, citing that it is incomplete.
Andhare further wrote: "Can screen to responsible individuals who feel aggrieved. Please come, see it yourself, nothing to hide, put an end to this saga. Let's celebrate our heritage."
"We can do it tomorrow itself, we want them to stand with us and support the film as it celebrates Rajput pride. We have been saying from the beginning... Film just finished few days back," he added in a series of posts late on Friday night.
"Padmavati" is Bhansali's professed tribute to the valour and sacrifice of Rajput queen Rani Padmavati. Various Rajput organisations have demanded the movie's release be stalled and have threatened the director and the film's lead actor Deepika Padukone.
"We must appreciate that the government has really gone out of the way to provide security to Sanjay and Deepika," Andhare tweeted thanking Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.