Senior BJP leader calls for ban on 'Padmavati'

Senior BJP leader Raj Purohit on Thursday demanded that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic period drama  Padmavati.

The film starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh is slated for December 1 release.

The film has stirred up a controversy as some organisations in Rajasthan have accused the filmmaker of "distorting" history.

Purohit is the second senior BJP leader after Maharashtra Tourism Minister Jaykumar Rawal to demand  the ban.

Rawal is a descendant of Rawal Ratan Singh -   Padmavati's husband. He had also met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to narrate how facts were being "twisted" and passed off as history.

The story of the film revolves around Rajput queen Padmavati and Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji.

"You cannot take liberty with history. The film needs to be banned. We even intend to move the Centre over the Rajput community's demand for a ban on the film,"  Purohit said.

Meanwhile, on the official Twitter handle of Padmavati, the fimmaker sought to clarify things. "This is my tribute to the sacrifice, valour and honour of Rani Padmavati! – Sanjay Leela Bhansali @RanveerOfficial @deepikapadukone @shahidkapoor," the tweet said.

"It's been a privilege sir. Thank you for the opportunity," said Shahid. "Hear it from the man himself. Hope this clears things," Ranveer added.