‘Padmavati’ not to be released in Rajasthan without changes: Vasundhara Raje

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday said that Padmavati will not be released in Rajasthan till necessary changes as per the suggestions given to the Centre were incorporated in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie.

Earlier in the day, the state Home Minister said the state is considering a ban on the movie within the state as per the legal framework and is seeking legal advice.

Raje, in a letter to Union information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday, had sought “necessary changes” in the movie before its release, so that the “sentiments of any community are not hurt”.

The Chief Minister had suggested that the film and its plot should be reviewed by a committee of renowned historians, film personalities, and representatives of society at large.

Raje said maintaining law and order in Rajasthan was the highest priority and it will be maintained at all cost.

Earlier in the day, Rajasthan's Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that the Rajasthan government is considering a ban on Padmavati movie within the legal framework and is seeking legal advice on the issue.

He said a meeting of senior Home Department officials was called to discuss the planned ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's coming movie.

“We are seeking the Law Department's advice. If we have legal powers, we may consider ban on the movie in the desert state,” Kataria told IANS.

"We will discuss the issue again on Tuesday, as we want to do anything on the issue within the legal framework," the Minister said.

Shri Rajput Karni Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, has been protesting against the movie for the last few months and now wants a ban on Padmavati.

Police posted outside Deepika's parents' home in Bengaluru

Police personnel have been posted outside the residence of Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone's parents here following threats over her role in the Hindi film Padmavati, the police said on Tuesday.

"Two police personnel have been deployed outside Deepika Padukone's parents home in J.C. Nagar (northern suburb)," Inspector Girish Naik of J.C. Nagar Police Station told IANS here.

Although the 31-year-old Deepika lives in Mumbai, she hails from Bengaluru, where her family, including her father and legendary badminton champion Prakash Padukone, mother Ujjala, younger sister Anisha and grandmother Ahilya live in the city's northern suburb.

Prakash Padukone runs a badminton coaching academy in the city.

Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kunwar Surajpal Singh Ammu had offered a reward of Rs 10 crore to anyone who would "behead" Deepika and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the film, which is based on the life of 13th century Indian queen Rani Padmini, also known as Padmavati.

"We do not want to take law in our hands but will not forgive anyone who tries to spoil the image of Rajput kings and queens," said Ammu, who is also the chief media coordinator for the party in the state.

Reacting to Ammu's statements to "behead" the actress, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said the state government would provide security to her and her family in Bengaluru.

Siddaramaiah has also asked Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to take action against those threatening to harm Deepika.

"I have asked the Haryana Chief Minister to take strict action against those threatening to harm Deepika, as she only played the lead role in the film as an actress as directed by its maker," Siddaramaiah said on Monday.

"I condemn the culture of intolerance and hate perpetuated by the BJP and its right-wing groups. Karnataka stands by Deepika who is a renowned artist from our state."

State Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy had told reporters at Belagavi, that the state police would provide security to Deepika whenever she is in Bengaluru or anywhere in Karnataka.

"I have directed the state DGP (Director General of Police) to ensure her (Deepika) safety and provide security to her family in Bengaluru," Reddy added.

Majidi and I belong to elite society, says Rahman

Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman says he and Iranian auteur Majid Majidi belong to an elite society as they both have got fatwas.

The Oscar-winning composer brought back the memories of the time when fatwa was issued against the duo in 2015 for "Muhammad: The Messenger of God", the movie on the life of Prophet Muhammed, when he got onto the stage to talk about their next collaboration "Beyond The Clouds" at the first day of the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here on Monday.

"It is great to be here. It feels very unusual and extraordinary to be standing here, working with an Iranian filmmaker who is internationally known. He is a great human being and a very courageous person. We both have got fatwas, we are a very elite society here," Rahman said.

Helmed by Majidi, "Beyond The Clouds" marks the debut of Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan. Rahman has given music to the story which is centred around a brother-sister relationship.

"I want to wish Ishaan, Malvika and the whole crew good luck. It was a great honour working with Vishal ji (Bhardwaj)."

Bhardwaj has penned Hindi dialogues of the film, which had its India premiere on the opening day on Monday.

With inputs from IANS