Ban Bajirao Mastani for “distorting” history, demands a plea

A petition has been filed in a Pune court seeking a ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, alleging that it has distorted history relating to late king

A petition has been filed in a Pune court seeking a ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, alleging that it has distorted history relating to late king Shrimant Bajirao Peshwe and his family members.

Deepika Padukone dons a warrior's armour as Baji Rao's second wife, Mastani. (EROS)

The case will come up for hearing on November 26 before Pune Metropolitan Magistrate SS Bhule, according to advocate Wajid Khan, who appeared on behalf of Hemant Patil, president of NGO- Bharat against Corruption, who has filed the plea.

The petition, filed on Tuesday, alleged that historical facts had been wrongly portrayed in Bajirao Mastani while showing late king Bajirao Peshwe and his wives Kashibai and Mastani. The Pinga song in the film shows leading heroines.

Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone dancing together, which, the petitioner said “distorts” history. Pinga dance is an integral part of Marathi culture and has been portrayed as an ‘item song’ in the film, the petition alleged.

Besides Bhansali, Priyanka and Deepika have also been named as respondents. The court will hear the sides on November 26 to decide on issuing notices to the respondents.

Watch Pingaa

The Magistrate has allowed the petitioner’s plea on the point of jurisdiction of the Magistrate court in Pune to hear the matter, said Wajid Khan. Earlier, Prasadrao Peshwe, the descendant of Bajirao Peshwa I, had also alleged that historical facts have been “altered” while portraying the late king and his wives in the film.

In a letter written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis yesterday, Prasadrao has demanded that the government look into the matter, review the soon-to-be-released film, investigate the matter and take a decision accordingly.

The film is set for release on December 18.