Ex CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani bats for Bhansali's Padmavati, says the protests must stop
After Prasoon Joshi, Ex CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani has also voiced his support for Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Padmavati.
IndiaToday.in | Written by Lakshana N PalatNew Delhi, November 11, 2017 | UPDATED 11:27 ISTA +A -Padmavati posterPadmavati, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been under fire from various quarters, ever since the shooting started. Various political groups, like the Sri Rajput Karni Sena, have risen up in protest against the Sanjay Bhansali Leela film, claiming that it is "a distortion of history." From beating up Bhansali, to vandalising the sets, and taking to the streets to protest, the groups have left no stone unturned to voice their anger.
However, it looks like the film has the support from CBFC chiefs, both past and present. Ex CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani has voiced his support for Bhansali. He told ANI, "Bhansali is a sensible and best technician in the industry. He knows that he is bringing Indian culture in front of the world. He has always promoted Indian culture and people have liked it."
Nihalani, who has faced much flak, owing to his controversial decisions during his tenure as CBFC chief, also said, "There has been controversy in each of his films. Controversy on his projects is created by people. His movies have always done a good business after people see there is nothing wrong with it. People of every state for which he makes a film protest against it. People protested against Bajirao Mastani in Maharashtra. There were many court cases. I think how he highlighted Maratha in that film was commendable," he noted.
Nihalani also pointed out that there was a film on Padmavati in 1963, but no one had protested at that time. "Why did people not protest earlier when movies were made on Padmavati? Were the Rajputs not this concerned?" he asked, adding, "These protests must stop."
He also said that approving the film is the responsibility of the censor board, not the government. "Till the time film is not censored, it is not completed. I think they have not yet submitted it for approval, the process which takes at least 21 days. If the film gets censor certificate, it must be right-minded."
On Friday, Censor Board member, Arjun Gupta had said that Bhansali should be tried for treason. However, CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi said that his statements were not endorsed by CBFC, and that he respected Bhansali as an individual and an artist.
Padmavati, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been under fire from various quarters, ever since the shooting started. Various political groups, like the Sri Rajput Karni Sena, have risen up in protest against the Sanjay Bhansali Leela film, claiming that it is "a distortion of history." From beating up Bhansali, to vandalising the sets, and taking to the streets to protest, the groups have left no stone unturned to voice their anger.
However, it looks like the film has the support from CBFC chiefs, both past and present. Ex CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani has voiced his support for Bhansali. He told ANI, "Bhansali is a sensible and best technician in the industry. He knows that he is bringing Indian culture in front of the world. He has always promoted Indian culture and people have liked it."
Nihalani, who has faced much flak, owing to his controversial decisions during his tenure as CBFC chief, also said, "There has been controversy in each of his films. Controversy on his projects is created by people. His movies have always done a good business after people see there is nothing wrong with it. People of every state for which he makes a film protest against it. People protested against Bajirao Mastani in Maharashtra. There were many court cases. I think how he highlighted Maratha in that film was commendable," he noted.
Nihalani also pointed out that there was a film on Padmavati in 1963, but no one had protested at that time. "Why did people not protest earlier when movies were made on Padmavati? Were the Rajputs not this concerned?" he asked, adding, "These protests must stop."
He also said that approving the film is the responsibility of the censor board, not the government. "Till the time film is not censored, it is not completed. I think they have not yet submitted it for approval, the process which takes at least 21 days. If the film gets censor certificate, it must be right-minded."
On Friday, Censor Board member, Arjun Gupta had said that Bhansali should be tried for treason. However, CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi said that his statements were not endorsed by CBFC, and that he respected Bhansali as an individual and an artist.
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