Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on November 17 said that the state government would ensure adequate security to maintain law and order during the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed period drama “Padmavati” in the state.
He also said that the censor board’s decision would be final on the concerns relating to the content of the movie. Reddy was responding to BJP MLC Leher Singh during the zero hour in Karnataka Legislative Council.
Pointing to large scale protests and outrage that the movie is facing in different parts of the country including Bengaluru, Singh urged the state government to ban it keeping maintenance of law and order in mind.
Rajput community members had on November 15, staged a huge demonstration and held a rally in Bengaluru against the film, alleging it distorted history. The protesters claimed that the movie was fictitious and portrayed in a poor light, Rani Padmavati, the legendary 13th century queen of Chittor, whom they worship as a Goddess.
Noting that the government cannot take any decision on the movie without knowing what has been depicted in it, with the censor board being the final authority in such cases, Reddy said, “On law and order, we will provide adequate security.”
Bhansali has been facing trouble since he started shooting the movie. The set of the movie was vandalised twice in Jaipur and Kolhapur and the director was roughed up by members of the Karni Sena during the Jaipur schedule of the film earlier this year.
The Supreme Court had recently refused to entertain a plea seeking a stay on the release of “Padmavati”, saying the censor board was yet to certify the movie.
