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Shatrughan Sinha Image Credit: Gulf news Archives

Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha has asked why Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan have not talked about the embattled movie Padmavati.

“As Padmavati becomes a burning controversy, people are asking why the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, most versatile Aamir Khan and most popular Shah Rukh Khan have no comments. And how come our I&B [Information and Broadcasting] Minister [Smriti Irani] or our most popular Honourable PM... are maintaining stoic silence. High time!” Sinha tweeted on Wednesday.

“As for me, I would and should speak on Padmavati issue only after the ‘great filmmaker, producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali’ speaks up. I speak only when I am spoken to and I will speak keeping in mind the interests of the filmmaker as well as the sensitivity, valour, loyalty of the great Rajputs,” he added.

In Padmavati, actor Ranveer Singh plays Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji, which Bhansali says is a tribute to the valour of Rajput queen Padmavati, played by Deepika Padukone.

A BJP leader has announced a reward of Rs100 million (Dh5.6 million) for beheading Bhansali and Padukone.

The film is in the eye of a storm following protests from conservative groups over alleged tampering with historical facts — a contention Bhansali has denied repeatedly.

The release of the film, which was earlier slated for December 1, has been deferred as the filmmakers are yet to secure a censor certificate.