Padmaavat: We are ready to watch the film ahead of its release, says Karni Sena chief

Padmaavat, which was earlier titled Padmavati, has been facing roadblocks since the beginning. First, the Karni Sena vandalised the film’s sets in Jaipur and assaulted its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Later, similar violence took place in Kolhapur as well.

It seems the Shree Rajput Karni Sena, the group vehemently opposing the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s new film Padmaavat, has mellowed down as it has given the hint that the group is ready to watch the film before its release on January 25.

Deepika Padukone plays the role of Rani Padmini in Padmaavat.

The Karni Sena said today that it was ready to watch the Bollywood period drama as offered by Bhansali productions to end the deadlock on the issue. The film made at a budget of Rs 180 crore has been facing protests by Karni Sena and other fringe groups over allegations that historical facts were distorted in the flick.

“We are ready to watch the film. We never said that we will not watch the film. The filmmaker had assured us one year ago that he will go for a special screening and now he has written for the screening and we are ready for that,” Sena leader Lokendra Singh Kalvi, who was in Uttar Pradesh, told PTI over the phone.

Bhansali production had on January 20 written a letter to Shree Rajput Karni Sena and Rajput Sabha, Jaipur, inviting them to watch the film and assured that the film showcased the honour and valour of the Rajput community.

Padmaavat, which was earlier titled Padmavati, has been facing roadblocks since the beginning. First, the Karni Sena vandalised the film’s sets in Jaipur and assaulted its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Later, similar violence took place in Kolhapur as well.

The group intensified its protests after the release of the films trailer in October, 2017. However, the Supreme Court has paved the way for the pan India release of the film.

Padmaavat features Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in pivotal roles.

(With inputs from PTI)