Swamy spies global conspiracy behind Padmavati

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Friday added a new twist to the Padmavati movie row by hinting that an international conspiracy was behind director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama.

The BJP MP sought a probe to unravel the conspiracy. "Many big budget movies are made these days; we should see if there is conspiracy behind them. People from Dubai want Muslim kings to be portrayed as heroes and Hindu women as desiring relationships (with them). This (Padmavati) is a controversy, and showing (Queen) Padmini in poor light was its part. They tried the same with Jodha Bai. Many such films have come in the last 10 years. Under UPA regime, such things got a push," Swamy told a news agency.

The hue and cry over the yet to be released magnum opus continues despite Bhansali releasing a video on Facebook and explaining that there is nothing objectionable in the narrative.

Bhansali's take

In the video, the director said he has made the movie with all "honesty", "responsibility" and "toiled" for it. Bhansali insisted that he was inspired by Padmavati's story and that the picture honours her bravery and sacrifice. He also reiterated that there is no dream sequence between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji which has been the bone of contention.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking a stay on the movie's release until the objectionable portions are edited out. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was yet to certify the movie, the top court said.