While the fate of Padmavati still remains unclear – will it even release on December 1? - Sanjay Leela Bhansali can probably breathe easy on one count: his personal safety has been assured by the Commissioner of Police. Even as tension mounts, the decision was taken to provide police security to the filmmaker. No less than 15 police personnel have been stationed outside Bhansali’s Juhu office. Apparently round the clock protection has been issued to the filmmaker, in the light of various protests against the film, which has been hit by allegations of distortion of historical facts.
Bhansali has already paid a heavy price for attempting to convey on celluloid his tale of the beautiful and brave Rajput queen who chose death over dishonour. The yet to be released period film has faced continuous opposition from various groups which have been burning down posters, destroying sets, and even threatening to damage theatres if the film is screened on December 1.
What’s worse, Bhansali also had to face the pain and humiliation of a physical attack in January this year, when he was slapped and assaulted by members of the Karni Sena, during an angry protest at Jaigarh fort in Jaipur where shooting was in progress. A video of the same which went viral, showed protesters running amok as they damaged cameras and other shooting equipment, all the while shouting slogans and hurling abuses in Hindi. Support had poured in for the filmmaker. While Farhan Akhtar warned, “My fellow film folk, if we do not unite now against these recurring incidents of bullying, it’s going to get much worse,” Karan Johar tweeted, “Am appalled at what has happened with Sanjay Bhansali... this is the time for all us as an industry to stand by our people and fraternity!”
Moral support is good but not enough, especially since tension continues to mount even though Bhansali has also confirmed via a video that there are no scenes featuring the lead characters Rani Padmini and Sultan Alauddin Khilji. Police presence will hopefully protect the filmmaker against any more physical attacks. A sad day for Hindi cinema, a sad day for India…
