Pune court admits petition seeking ban on Bajirao Mastani

A city-based resident has filed a case against Bajirao Mastani's creators on grounds of gross distortion of history.

Firoze Mohammad Shaikh has filed a case against Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film's director-producer as well cast members including, actresses Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone who essay the roles of Kashibai, the Peshwa's first wife and that of Mastani, respectively.

The petition takes particularly strong objection against the recently released song Pingaa', which it alleges incorrectly portrays the characters of Kashibai and Mastani. It further demands a complete ban on the release of the film, scheduled for December 18, in Pune and across Maharashtra.

It claims that the song was offensive to Marathi culture and degrading to a Marathi lady.

The case was admitted in a local court which claimed that the filmmakers had tweaked facts' under the pretext of artistic licence.

"The film is an insult to the glorious history of Bajirao Peshwa and a total misrepresentation of his person," claimed the petition.

According to criminal lawyer Wajed Khan-Bidkar, who filed the complaint on behalf of Mr. Shaikh, the complaint was not to garner publicity, but to prevent such filmmakers from making imaginary, fictitious films, by which the emotions of lakhs of people may be hurt.

"We will be submitting historical evidence as well as several letters from the successors of the Peshwas to prove misrepresentation in the name of creativity," said Mr. Bidkar.

Already, a controversy has erupted against the film and the song with a descendant of the Peshwa accusing Mr. Bhansali of gross misrepresentation'. A Facebook page, urging a ban on the film has also been created and has received several likes'.