Incorrect facts in Bajirao Mastani, say Peshwa descendants

The descendants of Bajirao I, the noted general who served as the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, are up in arms against “Bajirao Mastani” an upcoming Indian historical romance film produced and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

The film with an impressive star cast of Ranveer Singh (who plays the role of Bajirao Peshwa), Deepika Padukone (who portrays the role of Mastani) and Priyanka Chopra (who essays the role of Kashibai, the first wife of Bajirao I), is set to be released on December 18.

Shri Udaysinh Peshwa of  Pune, the descendant of Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa Awais Bahadur Nawab Sahab of Indore, the descendant of Mastani Baisaheb and Shrimant Sardar Satyasheelraje Dabhade of Talegaon Dabhade, the descendant of Sarsenapati Umabaisaheb Khanderao Dabhade, the only female commander-in-chief of the Maratha Army, has come under one banner to point out what they say factual errors in the movie.

“For the first time in the history of Indian cinema, particularly mainstream Hindi cinema, a lavish and grand film is being made depicting the life and times of Bajirao Peshwa. From a historical perspective, he was responsible for strengthening and consolidating the Maratha rule from the south till Delhi in the north. It is said that during his reign, he did not lose a single battle he fought,” said.

“The director will definitely have thrown light on this aspect of the great Peshwa and his forceful personality and given due importance and respect to his valour and loyalty to the Maratha kingdom.

 But the promotional material released so far has twisted facts and merely looks like the maker has harped on Bajirao’s relation with Mastani Bai Saheb, which was but a small chapter in a largely eventful life which changed the course of Maratha history,” he pointed out.

Awais Bahadur Nawab Saheb while regretting the wrongful handling of a sensitive subject stated: “The director of the film should have researched the subject thoroughly and checked for the veracity of depicted scenes in the movie from credible sources. Though a number of efforts were initiated by us to consult the makers of the film to help them enhance the authenticity of the film, our efforts fell on deaf ears.”

‘We truly intend to contribute and this is in no way moral policing, If there is a cost factor attached to the preview process, we are ready to bear it,” said Devavrat Bapat.
DH News Service