“Padmavati” set attacked and set on fire
Sanjay Leela Bhansali film targeted second time
The set of Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film “Padmavati” in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, was attacked and set on fire at about 1am last night by an unidentified group, who oppose the film. Props and costumes were damaged and the fire was reportedly doused early this morning. No injuries were been reported and Bhansali was said to be safe.
Kolhapur police say that between 10 and 20 people vandalised the set and set fire to the props. Cans and cars parked at the location were pelted with stones. However, no case has been registered yet. “The set is spread across nearly 50,000 square feet and a group of unidentified persons set it on fire around 1 am,” the official told IANS.
“Padmavati” has been filming around Kolhapur since March 6 and the shoot was to end on March 20.
Vinod Tawde, Maharashtra's Minister of Culture, said on behalf of the state government that matter should have been resolved through dialogue rather than attacking the set of the film.
This is the second time the sets of the film have been attacked. In January, Bhansali was assaulted while filming at Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur by a Rajput group called Karni Sena. Karni Sena is not believed to be responsible for the attack in Kolhapur. Filming was later moved out of Rajasthan to Maharashtra.
The making of “Padmavati”, based on the legend of Rani Padmini and Emperor Alauddin Khilji, has provoked protests from groups who object to what they say is a misrepresentation of Rani Padmini. Opposition to the film is based on rumours that it implies a romantic connection between Padmini and Khilji, in a dream and song sequence.
After the Jaipur set was vandalised, Karni Sena claimed they had received written assurance from Sanjay Leela Bhansali that the scenes would be dropped. Bhansali says no such scenes were ever in the film at all.
Last week, the Chittorgarh Fort was vandalized and mirrors in at the Padmini Palace were broken.
“Padmavati” stars Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmini and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji. Shahid Kapoor plays Padmini's husband Ratan Singh.
Source: NDTV Movies