BJP MLA Raja Singh triggered controversy yet again, after saying that he would not allow the screening of the film Padmaavat in any theatre in Hyderabad.
A video doing the rounds, shows Raja Singh saying, “There is an effort to stop the movie across India. Similarly, in Telangana as well, we want to stop the movie. We have told theatres and informed managers via letters, informing that they will have to bear the consequences and losses, because we will not let them screen the movie.”
“If we are able to stop this one movie, it is our success. If we don’t stop it, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali will break the society,” he adds.
In November last year, the Goshamahal MLA, infamous for his hate speeches, said that he will teach a lesson to those who try to malign and demean the Hindu culture.
Provoking the Rajputs of Hyderabad, he said, “Across the country there are protests against the movie. But no one here is raising any objection to the film. Did our blood become cold?”
The BJP MLA also said, “If anyone burns down the theatre which shows Padmavatiji (the fictional queen) in poor light. I will take the responsibility of bailing out that person.”
Singh further stated, “Even I vow to burn the theatres if the film shows us (Hindus) in bad light and demeans our culture,” adding, “Besides, I want to warn the director (Sanjay Leela Bhansali): You are a dog, who wants to demean us and make money out of it.”
The film, already cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after five modifications and renamed from Padmavati to Padmavat and now titled Padmaavat, is scheduled to release on January 25 across India. The Rajasthan government has, however, decided against releasing it in the state.
Speaking to DC, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VV Srinivas said, “If the film releases with the government’s approval, the police will provide protection.”