Jaipur: Ex-royal family calls for Padmavati ban

Jaipur: Erstwhile royal family of Jaipur has warned that the film Padmavati would not be released if it does not depict history authentically and takes liberty with facts.

"No filmmaker should take liberties of distorting the facts which will not acceptable for the people of the country, BJP MLA and member of the royal family Diya Kumari said on Wednesday.

"The tale of Maharani Padmavati of Chittor and the 1,600 women who committed Jauhar along with her is a testimony of extreme valour and courage of which history has rarely been witness. Any attempt to distort the history or twist the facts will be a collective insult to the women of this country who have immense pride in the sacrifice made by Rani Padmavati and the brave women with her, she added. Interestingly, Deepika had been hosted by erstwhile Jaipur royals while she was promoting Bajirao Mastani another Bhansali film that had attracted controversy for similar reasons; distorting history.

Rajmata Padmini Devi was also present at the media briefing. She said that when Bhansali started with the shooting of Padmavati he had agreed to screen the film before us. He had also consented to screen the film before the launch of any song or trailer. However, he has backed out of his commitment, she said.

The latest development comes as film distributors in Rajasthan have refused to release the film in cinema halls in Rajasthan till "the matter is sorted between the Karni Sena members and Bhansali.

Former Congress MLA Pratap Singh Khachariyawas has also demanded ban on the film.