We appeal to people to impose 'Janata Curfew' on Padmaavat: Kalvi

Shree Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi, who is spearheading the protest against release of the controversial film Padmaavat, gave a call for "Janata Curfew" or public boycott on January 25, the day the film is slated for official release in theatres across the country. Excerpts of an interview with DH in Jaipur on Wednesday.

After CBFC has cleared the movie for screening, what is your biggest disagreement?
 
We want some of the scenes to be removed from the film. There is a dream sequence where a lovemaking scene between Rani Padmini and Allaudin Khilji is shown. The scene between Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone is acceptable but we cannot tolerate the tampering of history by watching Padmini and Khilji in a compromising position. Another big issue is the Ghoomar dance, showing our mother Rani Padmini dancing. Queens and princesses have never danced in public. 
 
There are rumours that Karni Sena members, including you, have seen the film recently. Is that true?
 
The information is false. Not a single member of the Karni Sena has watched the film. 
 
Supreme Court has lifted the ban on the film imposed by four states. So, what is your next move?
 
I have appealed to the people of India to impose a "Janata Curfew" in order to prevent the film from being screened from Thursday. 
 
Which are the states you are sure  will not  screen the film? What about theatres in South India?
 
We are sure that the film will not be released in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. We have support from the people in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and we hope no cinema hall screens it there.
 
In the age of social media, how can you stop people from watching this movie?
 
I wish i knew the trick of enforcing "Janata Curfew" on social media sites and Youtube. But I still hope no one watches it online out of respect for Rani Padmini.
 
Your supporters are burning vehicles and stopping buses on the highway. Who will take responsibility for the violence?
 
Only Sanjay Leela Bhansali is to be blamed and no one else. I am against violence, which is why I visited Sabarmati Ashram on Tuesday to imbibe the tenets of non-violence. 
 
What will Karni Sena do if the film is screened?
 
We will break the screens and vandalise theatres like we have done before. Our supporters across India will hit the streets. 
 
Police has detained violent protestors. Do you fear arrest? Where will you be on January 25?
 
I am apprehensive of arrest on Thursday. I will stay in Jaipur, my hometown. So far police has detained 138 members of Karni Sena across the country but this will not deter our protest.