Jaipur, Jan 29 (PTI): Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his crew have cancelled the shooting of "Padmavati" here in the wake of assault on him and vandalism on the sets of the movie by a Rajput group that has triggered outrage in the film industry which is demanding stern action against the culprits.
"The shooting has been stopped by the filmmaker at Jaigarh Fort and they have vacated the place," SHO Amer police station Narendra Kumar said.
A source close to the production said, "The makers have already clarified that there are no scenes between Padmavati and Allaudin Khilji's characters. Bhansali has shot his movies in Rajasthan in the past but he never faced any problem. What happened was unfortunate and the team is packing up."
Bhansali was roughed up by members of a Rajput community group on Friday, who also stopped the shooting of the film by damaging the set at Jaigarh Fort, alleging that the director was "distorting facts" in the movie which is about Alauddin Khilji's obsession with Rani Padmavati.
Karni Sena on Saturday reiterated its stand to oppose any distortion of historical facts and demanded a written assurance from the director while also blaming his security for the commotion on Friday.
"I do not support any violence. The Karni Sena had gone there to oppose the shooting and talk to Bhansali. But he refused to meet and three bullets were fired in the air by his security men which led to provocation and commotion," Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Karni Sena founder, said at a press conference.
He said they had communicated their objection six months prior to the shooting after they came to know about a supposed the dream sequence of Alauddin Khilji through Ranveer's interview.
While Bhansali is yet to publicly comment on the issue, the industry, including the film's three lead stars -- Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor -- slammed the fringe outfit for the incident.
Deepika, who is in the titular role of Padmavati, tweeted, "In a state of shock!deeply saddened and disheartened by yesterday's events!#Padmavati."
The actress assured that the team behind the film is not distorting any historical facts and their aim is to bring on-screen the story of "courageous and powerful" Padmavati.
"As Padmavati I can assure you that there is absolutely no distortion of history.#Padmavati. Our only endeavour is & has always been to share with the world the story of this courageous & powerful woman in the purest form there is," she wrote.
Ranveer too termed it an "unfortunate" incident.
"What's happened is very unfortunate. We hope the people of Rajasthan will understand & empathise with our intentions & give us their support. As a team, we are making 'Padmavati' keeping in mind the sensitivities and emotions of the people of Rajasthan and the Rajput community.
"Sanjay Sir is one of the most accomplished & authentic filmmakers we have in India, & he wont ever do anything to hurt anyones feelings," he tweeted.
Rishi Kapoor advises Bhansali to sue 'Padmavati' set destroyers
Kolkata, Jan 29 (IANS): Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor on Saturday lambasted the fringe group which vandalised the sets of "Padmavati" in Jaipur on Friday for allegedly "distorting history" about Chittor queen Rani Padmini and 14th century emperor Alauddin Khilji.
Bhansali was slapped and assaulted by Rajput Karni Sena workers who staged a protest at Jaigarh fort in Jaipur where he was shooting the film.
"Without knowing facts, without seeing the picture, you do a morcha and start hitting, what is this nonsense," an angry Kapoor told IANS on the sidelines of Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet here.
"Is this the security we have in this country for filmmakers or artistes? Who's answerable to this? Tomorrow you start doing this with everybody. It will be impossible to make films. Who are they? Are they the caretakers of history," Kapoor fumed.
The entire Bollywood community has come down heavily on the incident with the likes of director Karan Johar, actors Farhan Akhtar and Alia Bhatt taking to Twitter to vent their ire.
In a video that went viral on social media, protesters were seen running amok, damaging cameras and other shooting equipment while raising slogans and hurling abuses in Hindi.
"If you are, then see the film and then make a judgement. How can you raise your hand, how can you take law in your hands? Who are these people (Rajput) Karni Sena or whoever they are. What right do they have to do that? You cannot take justice in your hands."
"There is a judiciary, let them decide what is right and what is wrong. There is a censor board who censors it before it comes to the people," the actor added.
In the aftermath of this, Bhansali and his crew have cancelled the shooting. Kapoor advised the revered director who recently churned out the superhit film "Bajirao Mastani" to drag the perpetrators to court.
"I read on Twitter he has cancelled the shoot. Who's going to pay your b***** is going to pay for all the expenses... Just because of this nonsense, he had to cancel his actor's date. I say Sanjay Leela Bhansali should sue whatever that Karni (Sena workers)."