Karni Sena defers bandh after Padmavati release postponed

Hours after Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali deferred the release of his period epic, the Shri Rajput Karni Sena announced deferment of their Bharat Bandh, slated for December 1.

Karni Sena patron Lokendra Singh Kalvi said, "Bhansali is a trickster and a regular offender. We want him to screen the movie for us instead of journalists."

Kalvi claimed that terrorist Dawood Ibrahim was sponsoring the film. "That is why threat calls are being made from Karachi that Kalvi should be blown up by a bomb," he said.

The film has faced several protests over the past month with several organisations alleging that the film distorts history and demeans the Rajput queen. While the Karni Sena has been at the forefront of protests, former royals of Rajasthan and leaders of other communities have also joined the chorus.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had written to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani, urging her to ensure that the film was not released without necessary cuts.

The Karni Sena alleges that there are two elements in the film that are not backed by any historical record. One is a scene in which Queen Padmavati is shown romancing Allauddin Khilji, the powerful 13th century ruler of the Khilji dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. The second objection is to Padmavati performing the 'Ghoomar' dance in the darbar (royal court) which, they say, is an affront to Rajput culture as no queen or princess ever danced in the royal court.