Delhi Diary: Mobs Angry Over A Movie Frighten India

By Shakir Husain Bernama’s correspondent In India, Shakir Husain shares his take from New Delhi NEW DELHI, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- In Delhi's main shopping district Connaught Place, the entrance to a cineplex is so heavily barricaded by police that there is barely enough space for one person to pass through. If you have the svelte figure of a Bollywood actress you will easily pass through the narrow opening and make your way to the ticket counter to watch the movie "Padmaavat". If you are a large man, similar to those villainous characters they show in Indian movies, you will have to be a little careful to avoid brushing your body against the metal barricade. A rope has been used to firmly secure the barriers. Police in Delhi didn't want to take any chances as the controversial movie hit the theaters in India last week. Vigilante mobs have played havoc in many places against Padmaavat's release, objecting to its storyline that they say dishonors the memory of a legendary Hindu queen belonging to the warrior Rajput caste. There was much public outrage after a bunch of rioters threw stones at a school bus in Gurgaon on the outskirts of Delhi. A video of terrified children cowering and crying went viral on social media, sparking anger against those leading the protests against the movie. A high caste group based in the north Indian state of Rajasthan has accused film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali of distorting "history" with the portrayal of Queen Padmavati, played by actress Deepika Padukone. As per a legend, Padmavati killed herself in a custom known as "jauhar" (women jumping into a pit of fire to protect their honour) rather than submit to Alauddin Khilji, the Muslim Sultan of Delhi, who had launched an attack in 1303 to capture the region of Chittorgarh from Rajput ruler Ratan Singh. Prominent historians say Padmavati is just a fictional figure that originated in the epic poem "Padmavat" by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in the 16th century. But the mythological character is history for those who believe in the Padmavati story. There were threats and violence even before the movie was approved for release. A politician in the state of Haryana had offered 100 million rupee (US$1.5 million) bounty on the heads of Padukone and Bhansali. There was also a threat to cut off Padukone's nose as punishment for acting in the movie. The groups that claim to be defending Rajput honor are so opposed to the movie that Bhansali was beaten and the film's shooting disrupted in Rajasthan's capital Jaipur in January 2017. That was only a glimpse of what was to come later. The movie's title was changed to "Padmaavat" and certain modifications were made to appease those bent on disrupting its screening. Despite the Indian censor board clearing the movie for release, some state governments have said they won't allow it in their jurisdictions. Central Board of Film Certification chairman Prasoon Joshi pulled out of a literary festival in Jaipur in the wake of threats against him. Bollywood stars have condemned the incidents of vandalism and threats over the movie. "This is plain and simple terrorism," actress Bhumi Pednekar said of the school bus attack. Ironically, some reviewers point out that Bhansali has negatively depicted the Muslim ruler rather than the Rajput characters in order to pander to populist sentiments in India. The Rajput ruler is made to look cute in contrast to the Muslim emperor's wild looks. "There is no pretence at objectivity or nuance in the contrasting portrayals of the two monarchs... Padmaavat is a perfect example of a Hindi film couching its extreme prejudices in grandiloquence and tacky cliches, with those cliches embedded in resplendent frames," wrote film critic Anna M.M. Vetticad. -- BERNAMA