Shahid Kapoor has urged people to watch his upcoming film Padmavati without prejudice.
Several groups in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, protested against the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film on Sunday and appealed to the masses not to watch the movie, due to release on November 30 in the UAE.
Kapoor, who plays Maharawal Ratan Singh in the film, said: “I’ve been saying this since a long time. Watch the film and then decide. Give the film a chance and don’t form preconceived notions. We have tried to keep everyone’s feelings and interests in mind. We will respect whatever people think of the film but you should see it first.”
The period drama features stars Deepika Padukone in the title role of Padmavati, the Rajput queen and consort of Ratan Singh. Actor Ranveer Singh will be seen as Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi sultan.
EYE OF THE STORM
On the other hand, Padukone has refused to directly address the issue.
“I will not say anything [on the controversy]... I will only say that... we all are very excited and overwhelmed by the response and we can’t wait to share this film with everyone,” she said.
Last week, filmmaker Bhansali released a video clarifying the rumoured dream sequences in the film, but protests continue to grow.
Recently, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea seeking a stay on the release of Padmavati and said the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) considers all aspects before granting a certificate to any film.
Kapoor said the entire team is proud of the movie and is overwhelmed by the way it has received support from the industry.
“I think it’s going to be a special cinematic experience, something which I hope the entire fraternity will be proud of... Genuinely the whole fraternity has come together to support the film.
“When something so beautiful is coming, they don’t think like ‘oh it’s not ours, it’s theirs’. Sometimes the trailer or the film is so nice that everyone comes out and says great we have a film like this here. I got a response like that,” he added.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
The Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) were to lead an appeal on Monday to Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, on behalf of four other associations, to allow freedom for filmmakers in the wake of the ongoing controversy over Padmavati.
Members of IFTDA, Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Screenwriters Association (SWA) and Association of Cine and Television Art Directors and Costume Designers, held a press meet as well.
“Five bodies are coming together to make an appeal for freedom of expression for filmmakers. The industry is shocked and we are hurt that a filmmaker like Sanjay Leela Bhansali is being heckled and abused. Bhansali symbolises success of our film industry in many ways, and if he can be treated like this and harassed, things are not right,” Ashoke Pandit, IFTDA president, said.
He said their appeal is to the ministers to take note of the controversy and uphold the freedom of filmmakers.
