Dilwale, Bajirao Mastani open to packed theatres and political protests

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Dec 19, 2015: It was being considered as one of the biggest Fridays that the film industry has seen in the recent past. Instead, both Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani opened to protests across India today with some of the shows of both the films being cancelled.

While a multiplex in Pune had to cancel all shows of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Bhansali in Pune today after protest from BJP workers, shows of Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol starrer Dilwale had to be stopped members of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) barged into a cinema hall and burnt the film’s posters in Jabalpur.

Alleging that the movie has distorted historical facts of the era of Peshwa rulers, the protesters gathered in front of Citypride cinema in Pune today morning raising slogans, leading to cancellation of the film’s screening by the theatre management.

The depiction of the character of Kashibai, wife of Bajirao Peshwa, played by actress Priyanka Chopra in the film, has drawn flak from many quarters with allegations that it lowered the dignity of the historical figure with a distorted projection.

Bajirao Mastani, a historical romance film produced and directed by Bhansali, narrates the story of the Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao I and his second wife Mastani. While Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone play the eponymous roles, Priyanka is seen in the role of Bajirao’s first wife Kashibai.

Screening of Rohit Shetty directed Dilwale was also disturbed in Mumbai, Delhi, Jabalpur and Bhopal following protests from BJYM and Hindu Sena workers. 

In Mumbai, a group of people from Hindu Sena protested outside INOX in Dadar against Shah Rukh Khan’s recent remark over intolerance. In Delhi, a group of people gathered outside PVR Plaza at Connaught Place with posters appealing people to boycott the movie, which also stars Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon.

Shah Rukh Khan was at the centre of a raging debate over intolerance in India. During an interview with India Today last month, the superstar had said there was "extreme intolerance" in the country triggering a massive debate.

Commenting over filmakers, scientists and writers returning their awards, Shah Rukh had said he would not hesitate to give up his awards as a symbolic gesture.

"There is intolerance, there is extreme intolerance... there is I think... there is growing intolerance. It is stupid... It is stupid to be intolerant and this is our biggest issue not just an issue...Religious intolerance and not being secular in this country is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot," he had told India Today TV.

 

Courtesy: Indiatoday