MNS to take a stand on ‘Padmavati’ after watching it

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has said it would take a stand on the controversial film Padmavati only after watching it.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie featuring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles is being opposed by certain organisations.

Amey Khopkar, the president of MNS Chitrapat Sena, the film wing of the Raj Thackeray-led party, issued a video to clarify the outfit's stand on the movie, scheduled to release on December 1.

“We are of the opinion of not opposing the movie without watching it. We are not going to do it that way. I am aware of some social organisations and political parties opposing the film but we would like to first see it,” it said.

“If we find some part objectionable, we can hold a meeting with the director (Bhansali),” the party said in the video.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Mumbai, Ram Kadam, said the film's trailer had “hurt” the sentiments of a section of people.

Addressing a press conference, he said, “Nobody has the right to play with history. The trailer has hurt the sentiments of some people and Bhansali will have to respect their feelings.”

The MLA from Ghatkopar (West) Assembly segment said he was the chairman of the Film Studios Setting and Allied Mazdoor Sangh, which will not work with Bhansali in his next venture as a mark of protest.

“If Bhansali cannot respect people's sentiments, then he will not be able to shoot for his next film here. My union is very strong and we will not cooperate with him,” the legislator MLA warned.

The Rajasthan-based Shri Rajput Karni Sena is spearheading protests against the film, alleging that it “distorts” historical facts.

S Durga was without censorship, Nude not a complete film: Parrikar

Films S Durga and Nude were dropped from the screening schedule at the upcoming IFFI's 'Indian Panorama' section because the former was submitted without cuts and the latter was incomplete, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Wednesday.

Parrikar, who heads the Entertainment Society of Goa, a co-host of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), also said Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's Malayalam movie S Durga had been submitted to two other film festivals with cuts, which the film had been subjected to, to prevent flaring of religious sentiments.

“Nude movie is not even complete. Even if it is selected (by the jury), if it is not completed and unless it gets a censor certificate, unless the entire procedure is complete and it is ready, it cannot be screened. There will be an issue with the Cinematography Act,” Parrikar said.

On S Durga, Parrikar said the movie was shown with cuts at two fests and it was censored.

“That was done to ensure that there was no eruption of religious sentiments and creation of problems. Here... the film was given without censorship,” Parrikar said, accusing certain sections of trying to rake up a controversy.

The controversial dropping of the two movies from the festival's Indian Panorama section has resulted in the head of jury Sujoy Ghosh resigning from his position.

Fukrey Returns won’t be overshadowed: Producer

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani, who is excited about his upcoming home-production Fukrey Returns, says his film will not get overshadowed by other big-budget films.

Asked about his film releasing between two big-ticket films like Padmavati and Tiger Zinda Hai, the producer told media: "Well, if you think our film will get sandwiched between the two big releases, I would say the meat of the sandwich is always much tastier, isn't it?"

Citing the example of this year's Diwali releases, Ritesh said: “Like the way a comedy film like Golmaal Again did well at the box office and a Secret Superstar also got noticed... I think our film will also reach its audience.”

The producer was present along with the actors of the film Richa Chadha, Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Ali Fazal and Manjot Singh for the launch of a song.

Fukrey Returns is releasing on December 15.

With inputs from agencies