Padmavati controversy: Priyanka Chopra expresses her views

Mumbai: Priyanka Chopra hasn’t spent much time in India this year owing to her busy Hollywood schedule and Quantico shoot in the US. The former Miss World, who is one of the most sought after actresses in the Tinsel Town, performed at the Zee Cine Awards event recently.

During the event, when PeeCee was quizzed by reporters about the controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmavati, she said, “I have an incredible relationship with Sanjay sir and I admire him tremendously. I know this film will come out and people will see the art behind it. They just need to make sure that everything is sorted. I will always stand not only by Sanjay sir but also Deepika, Ranveer and Shahid for the film.”

For the unversed, Priyanka has been a part of Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela – Ram Leela and Bajirao Mastani. Priyanka did a special song for the first film and played the role of Kashibai (a pivotal role) in the latter. Though she is not associated with Padmavati, she has extended support to the filmmaker and the cast.

Bhansali’s Padmavati hasn’t got a clearance certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification. Reports suggest that the makers will announce the new release date as soon as they get the film certified by the Censor Board. The film may release either within the first 15 days of January or hit the screen in February so that it gets maximum time without any competition.

Padmavati reportedly based on Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jaysi in 1540 is inspired by one of the most glorious chapters of Indian history.

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, Deepika essays the titular role of Rani Padmavati while Shahid Kapoor plays Maharawal Ratan Singh, a brave Rajput warrior. Ranveer Singh portrays Alauddin Khilji, the antagonist in the story.

Several Rajput organisations protested against the film believing that Padmavati had a dream sequence between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji. The filmmaker and other members of the production team clarified that the film doesn’t contain any objectionable content and that it upholds the pride and glory of the Rajput community.

But protestors were not convinced and they issued death threats to Bhansali and Deepika.

The sets of the film were vandalised during the initial days of shoot and a rangoli inspired by the film’s poster, created by an artist in Gujarat mall was destroyed by an angry mob.