Entertainment: Karni Sena protests against Padmavati, Chittorgarh observes bandh 

Protest by the Karni Sena against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati picked up pace in Rajasthan ahead of its December 1 release with a complete bandh observed in Chittorgarh on Friday.

“We are not against the movie as such. What we want is that Bhansali’s team should screen the movie for historians and intellectuals before releasing it as we are afraid and concerned that historical facts have been distorted in the movie,” said Vishavbandhu Rathore, Pradesh Mahasachiv Sri Rajput Karni Sena.

“We had called for Chittorgarh bandh today, and we got support from everyone. It was a complete bandh in Chittorgarh today,” said Mahipal Singh Makrana, state president of Sri Rajput Karni said.

He said before releasing posters and trailer of the film it should have been shown to the historians and intellectuals, but inspite of the promise made by Bhansali's team a few months back nothing was done.

In January, activists of a Rajput organisation, Shi Rajput Karni Sena had protested, manhandled and misbehaved with the crew of Padmavati claiming that Bhansali was distorting historical facts in the movie.

They had also damaged some cameras and other equipments. Bhansali had to stop shooting.

“We will not allow distorted facts to be shown in the film at any cost,” Makrana said.

Karni Sena claims that they have got a big library and that in no book is it written that Alauddin Khilji fell in love with Padmavati or that he was her lover. Bhansali’s much touted Padmavati is based on Malik Mohammad Jaysi’s famous poem Padmavat which is primarily a work of fiction and has no historical evidence.

Thor: Ragnarok gets grand opening in India

Hollywood film Thor: Ragnarok, opened at ₹9.91 crore in India. The film has brought back one of its mightiest superheroes, Thor, on the big screen.The third instalment of the Thor franchise released on Friday in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

The Taika Waititi directorial collected ₹9.91 crore (gross box office collection).

“It’s been a smashing month of serious uniting of forces across on ground and digital activations including a pan-India figurine tour, screenings, solid digital activations, a strong PR drive and more. We hope the thrill we experienced putting together the plan is also experienced by the audiences when they go meet Thor and Hulk on the big screen,” Amrita Pandey, Vice President - Studios, Disney India, said in a statement.

“Thor Ragnarok is a prelude to the biggest fight of the Millennium that is up next in May 2018 with the Avengers - Infinity Wars - Part 1 where all these superheroes from the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) come together,” she added.

In the latest title, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) reunites with his fellow Avenger - the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). The two go on a fun-filled adventurous journey to save Asgard.

They are joined by Cate Blanchett, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban and Anthony Hopkins.

To extend the excitement and anticipation around Thor: Ragnarok beyond the screens and spread superhero thrill into the daily lives of fans, Disney India's Consumer Products business brought on board a diverse range of brands to create various products across categories - apparel, accessories, consumer electronics, toys, stationery and many more.

Karan Johar to judge talent hunt on TV

Filmmaker Karan Johar will judge acting and singing skills of contestants on a reality television show tentatively titled Ticket To Bollywood.

To be produced by Endemol, the show -- previously known as India's Next Superstar -- will go on air on Star Plus in a few months, read a statement issued on behalf of the channel.

The show will also give a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in a film under Karan's banner Dharma Productions. The auditions for the reality show are said to be on.

Casting director Mukesh Chhabra will be hunting for talent along with other actors from the television industry.

With inputs from IANS