Former Central Board of Film Certification Chief Pahlaj Nihalani advised BJP MP Subramanian Swamy to check his facts before making any callous comments on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming movie Padmavati. Earlier today, November 11, Swamy, suspecting a foreign conspiracy, told news agency ANI, that Enforcement Directorate should investigate the funds SLB received for his movie.
Talking to the agency, Swamy said,
There should be an investigation if there is any ‘foreign conspiracy’ in the film. People in Dubai want to see Muslim invaders as heroes who were on a journey to establish a connection with Hindu women. We have seen many such movies in the last ten years, first, it was on Jodha Bai and now Rani Padmini. It is important to know where SLB got the money to make Padmavati.
Also read: Explained: Why Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ambitious film Padmavati is facing troubles before release
Taking Swamy’s conspiracy’s theory head-on, Pahlaj Nihalani told a news channel,
The film industry is not a Congress party that you can level allegations against. I think Swamy is a master in filing cases. If he files a PIL then he will learn that Viacom 18 has funded Padmavati, and no Dubai party like he claims. If Mukesh Ambani has a company in Dubai, then he might be funding the movie from there. I think it is important to do homework before giving a statement.
Padmavati is slated for a release on December 1 but there are many who want a stay on it. However, the Supreme Court refused a plea seeking a ban on the release, saying CBFC is yet to give the movie a certification and it would not intervene.
Recently BJP member Arjun Gupta wrote to Home Minister Rajnath Singh saying SLB should be tried for treason for distorting historical facts. Saying his letter will get the desired attention, Arjun Gupta said,
The whole country, not just the Rajput community, is standing against it. He needs to be severely punished by being tried for treason for his attempt to distort history, so that in future any filmmaker is wary of these kind of projects.
Also read: Why are we obsessed with Deepika Padukone’s Padmavati fee?
Amid all the controversy, CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi has come out in support of SLB. In a statement to the media, he said,
It’s unfortunate to see the personal point of view expressed by an advisory panel member of CBFC against Sanjay Leela Bhansali. By no means does it represent the point of view of CBFC as an organisation or the CBFC board. We have respect for Bhansali as an individual and artist.
Also read: ‘Nothing and no one can stop this film’: Deepika Padukone on Padmavati
Bhansali has time and again, vehemently denied any interaction between Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh) and Rani Padmavati (Deepika Padukone) in Padmavati. In a video released a few days ago, SLB said he has made the movie with the utmost love and respect for our culture.
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