#PadmavatiRow, Public Columned!

Photo by <a href="https://visualhunt.com/author/086145">World Economic Forum</a> on <a href="https://visualhunt.com/re/cf84d9">Visual Hunt</a> / <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/"> CC BY-NC-SA</a>

I am stunned in totality. This is just not a manner in which a decorated and senior movie director, who has credentials to back himself must be treated. Also, no right wing fringe group, has the authority to demean a woman or man, by issuing a bounty for their heads and culled organs, in return for restoration of community pride. We aren't living in the 12th century, and we surely haven't stooped so low, that we start killing our fellow citizens.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali (SLB) has been caught in fresh controversy again (read: Ram Leela, Jodha Akbar), as his Rajput pride, magnum opus movie releases. This time, we just don't have some flimsy sects of people, who brand themselves as moral custodians, however we have a few members of the erstwhile royal family, who claim without watching the movie; that it puts the Rajput clan in poor light! 

Some right wing groups, demand the movie be shown to them, to receive their approval.

The equation is simple, and if I were to fit myself in SLB's shoes; I'd say this - 

(1) My movie is based on facts and years of research (almost a decade). I have followed all necessary protocols and have the backing of my past releases, which were blockbusters and magnum opuses themselves

(2) My creative right entitles me to show my movie only to the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC), headed by Anupam Kher; who are members of the film fraternity and understand cinematic nuances better than anyone else 

(3) If there is freedom of speech (whether absolute is questionable) in this nation, there is also freedom of art, and this sovereign nation allows artists to express themselves, within the boundaries of humanity. People need to grow up and take hard facts, with a pinch of salt.

(4) There are talks that Rani Padmavati, could be more fiction than reality. This movie will put an end to that debate and show her/the entire Rajputana clan in the best manner possible, backed by historical data. Isn't this a good enough reason to watch the movie? 

(5) Sections of the media have been shown the movie and senior journalists are stumped by the manner in which SLB has detailed out every scene. No love scene or intimate setting has been filmed with Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khalji (the protagonist and barbaric tormentor of the 12th century). There isn't even a scene of them together, nor is there a dream sequence, which looks to romanticize any sort of relationship. We need to trust news-makers and take their word

Issuing orders to mutilate performer's body parts, by a right wing sect, is absurd and totally inhumane. Calling a woman names, and hanging effigies of the actors who are part of the movie, make the nation regress into patriarchal times, where subjugation was common. 

This is the 21st century, and no man/woman should show remorse towards imbeciles, who call themselves moral custodians. The nation and a large section of people are educated enough to make their own decisions and exercise cognizance on their beliefs. 

None of us need, an 'army' of dhoti clad men, and ghunghat veiled women, with lathis in their hands, to give us our history lessons. Through the medium of cinema, we can take the truth. 

Get a life, naysayers! Find something worthwhile to do in life, contribute to the betterment of society, educate the girl child, and allow the nation to progress and deal with much more deeper and concerning matters. We have a Prime Minister, who is working like a man possessed to take our nation to a pedestal, which will allow it to be counted among the best nations of the world. 

Dear Moral Custodians, take a break, sit down with your extended families, and contribute to better community building. Let art thrive, yourselves survive and scribe a glorious chapter for the nation! 

We will all be happier, saner and secular as a nation, when we believe in the truth, and ensure peace all around. 

#PadmavatiOntheScreen by @harryrockerz