Pune, Dec 18 (PTI): BJP activists staged protest against the film "Bajirao Mastani" which releases today, forcing a multiplex cinema house to cancel all shows of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus.

Alleging that the movie has "distorted" historical facts of the era of Peshwa rulers, the protesters gathered in front of the 'Citypride' cinema this morning raising slogans, leading to cancellation of the film's screening by the theatre management.

The depiction of the character of Kashibai, wife of Bajirao Peshwa, played by actress Priyanka Chopra in the film, has drawn flak from many quarters with allegations that it lowered the dignity of the historical figure with a 'distorted' projection.

"Bajirao Mastani", a historical romance film produced and directed by Bhansali, narrates the story of the Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao I and his second wife Mastani. While Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone play the eponymous roles, Priyanka will be seen in the role of Bajirao's first wife Kashibai.

The film has landed in controversy before its release with a descendant of Bajirao Peshwa I alleging that historical facts have been "altered" while portraying the late king and his wives Kashibai and Mastani in the film.