Top Director Attacked, Bollywood Condemns
Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali was attacked on the sets of his film Padmavati in Jaipur on Friday. The director was slapped and his hair was pulled at the Jaigarh Fort by members of the Rajput Karni Sena who stormed the film sets and vandalized equipment.
The protestors allege that the film shows much-celebrated Rajput queen in poor light. Padmavati, a historical drama, is based on the story of Queen Padmini, who famously refused to submit to emperor Alauddin Khilji when he arrived at the Chittorgarh fort with his army and killed herself along with scores of other women before he could storm the fort.
The protesters claim that the film has love scenes between Queen Padmini and Alauddin Khilji, played by actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. The Rajput Karni Sena has demanded that Mr Bhansali delete such scenes in the film if any.
On the flip side, Bollywood is furious and actors and filmmakers are demanding action against protesters. Here are tweets from Bollywood celebs condemning the attack on Bhansali.
Sonam Kapoor, "What happened on Padmavati sets is appalling and heinous. Is this the state of the world."
Huma Qureshi, "Shocked by the attack on #SanjayLeelaBhansali ... Shame! These hooligans must be stopped .. who gives them the right to behave like this."
Hrithik Roshan, "Mr. Bhansali , Sir. I stand with you. This is so infuriating!!!!"
Karan Johar, "Am appalled at what has happened with Sanjay Bhansali....this is the time for all us as an industry to stand by our people and fraternity!!"
Anurag Kashyap, "Can once the whole film industry come together and take a stand, and refuse to be a pony that all bullshit and bullshitters ride on??"
Farhan Akhtar, "My fellow film folk, if we do not unite now against these recurring incidents of bullying, it's going to get much worse. #IstandbySLB."
Arjun Rampal, "Is this not intolerance???? Well don't expect us to be tolerant to this behaviour.I do hope the govt takes severe action here. #IStandBySLB"
Arjun Kapoor, "Shocked appalled saddened !!! #IstandbySLB it's unfair to target us as an industry just because we take a dignified stand n stay quiet..."
Riteish Deshmukh, "What happened on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's set is absolutely deplorable. #IStandBySLB : Over to you Rajasthan Police - Do the right thing."
Dia Mirza, "Appalled by what has happened on the sets of #Padmavati! Miscreants must be brought to book. Hooliganism is not protest."