'Padmavati' Deepika Padukone reacts to receiving threats from Karni Sena

New Delhi: Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus 'Padmavati' has run into massive trouble, first with fringe groups demanding a ban on the release of the film and now its private screening has irked CBFC chief, Prasoon Joshi.

Padmavati has been in news for various reasons. The Rajput Karni Sena first attacked Bhansali back in January this year and vandalised the film sets in Jaipur fort. The matter has escalated to a level now where the members of the group are giving life threats to the lead actress Deepika Padukone.

ANI quoted Mahipal Singh Makrana of Rajput Karni Sena as saying, “Rajputs never raise a hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha.”

On the other hand, Lokendra Singh Kalvi, a senior leader of the Rajput group, called for a nation-wide strike on December 1. He said, “We will gather in lakhs, our ancestors wrote history with blood. We will not let anyone blacken it. Will call for Bharat bandh on 1 December.”

According to Pinkvilla.com, a Meerut-based Thakur leader, Thakur Abhishek Som leader offered Rs 5 crore for her head. Reacting to the whole controversy and such threats, the report quotes Deepika as telling a leading daily, “Well, at this point, as a woman, an artiste and a citizen of this country I feel angry, I feel let down and I also find it amusing. I will never feel scared. Fear is not an emotion I have ever identified with."

Adding, “People are allowed to express themselves without having even seen the film. And having worked in the film, I can assure you it’s one film every Indian will be proud of. I’m glad we are showcasing Padmavati’s journey. Her story needs to be told not just to people in this country but across the world.”