Sanjay Leela Bhansali as guilty as those threatening actors of 'Padmavati', says Yogi Adityanath

'Padmavati' stars Deepika Padukone in the main role, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji.

Gorakhpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday alleged that 'Padmavati' director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was no less guilty than those issuing threats to actors and others involved with the film.

He asserted that if there is any action, "it will be against both the sides". The UP CM further said that Bhansali was "habitual of playing with public sentiments".

"No one has the right to take the law into own hands whether it is Sanjay Leela Bhansali or anyone else," he said.

"I feel that if those threatening (the actors of the film) are guilty, Bhansali is no less guilty," the UP CM told reporters.

On threats being issued to eliminate actors, Adityanath said, "Everyone should respect the feelings of each other. And I feel that if everyone has good thoughts and intentions, there would be amity in society."

On Monday, CMs of Madhya Pradesh and Punjab had also joined the chorus of protests against 'Padmavati' with Shivraj Singh Chouhan warning the film will not be screened in his state if it distorts history and Capt Amarinder Singh saying cinematic license does not give anyone the right to twist historical facts.

Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje too has said that `Padmavati` will not be released in Rajasthan till 'necessary changes' as per the suggestions given to the Centre were incorporated .

In a letter to Union information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday, she had sought changes in the movie so that the "sentiments of any community are not hurt".

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the protests over Bhansali's film, alleging there was a "calculated plan" of a political party to destroy freedom of expression, calling it "super emergency". The TMC supremo did not name any party.

On the other hand, the makers of 'Padmavati' had on Sunday said that the release date of the film, which features Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, had been deferred.

The film was scheduled to be released on December 1.

Various Rajput and other groups have been protesting across the country, including in Rajasthan, against the film, alleging it "distorts" history and hurts sentiments of people.

Historians are, however, divided on whether Rani Padmavati even existed.

(With Agency inputs)