Shiv Sena calls for temporary ban on Bajirao Mastani

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has hurt Marathi sentiments by Bajirao's wrongful portrayal in the film, says Shiv Sena

10 Dec, 2015

After its vehement clampdown against Pakistani stars, Shiv Sena has turned its attention towards India's own artistes, namely director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for his allegedly wrongful portrayal of Marathi general Peshwa Bajirao in his upcoming magnum opus Bajirao Mastani.

Last week, Bajirao and Mastani's descendants had taken exception to the film's "vulgar" song videos and unrealistic trailer.

The film, which stars Ranveer Singh (Bajirao), Deepika Padukone (Mastani) and Priyanka Chopra (as Bajirao's first wife Kashibai), is slated for a December 18 release, but Shiv Sena is now calling for a temporary ban on the film.

Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik has protested that the Marathi people's feelings aare hurt by this wrongful portrayal in a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He also insisted that the movie should only be released after it has been shown to the descendants and their complaints have been addressed.

Talking to The Indian Express, Sarnaik said that the film's trailer and song videos show a lack of research: “[The film] is not being made on a fictitious character. Peshwa Bajirao is a revered icon and legendary warrior for all Maharashtrians. To show such a legendary figure dancing while vigorously moving his Shendi in the song 'Malhari' is highly unacceptable. We don’t even dance like that during Ganpati celebrations.”

He also said, "The CM has acknowledged my letter and ordered an enquiry into the same. Sanjay Leela Bhansali should have considered the views and opinions of the Peshwa descendants and respected our Marathi sentiments while making the film."

The descendants' objections to Bajirao Mastani last week were met by silence on Bhansali's part, and Sarnaik now insists that the film only be released after their complaints are addressed.

Comments

Nagendra Daan Dec 10, 2015 01:38pm

Shiv Sena is calling for a ban on everything. Lets wait when they will call for a ban on themselves.

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HARISH Dec 10, 2015 01:57pm

Hi, I think distorting the historical facts and exercising creative independence in a fictional work of art is different. Even if we assume it is a work of fiction, all of us here know he is portraying a legend who revere. It's a gross irreverence, and is insulting to do something like this without substantial research.

Arpan Dec 10, 2015 02:04pm

What??? the sena wings needs to be cut! these guys are crazy and a dark spot on the secular and democratic foundation of India

Ajay vikram Singh Dec 11, 2015 04:04am

@HARISH - What authentic research? Even within Maharashtra, if you ask 10 different clans about any Maratha legend, they will tell you 10 different views, depending upon which clan they belong to. So who will decide? Have you seen people jumping up and down when - 1. Mughal-e-Aazam was made by K. Asif in 1960 on the life and characters of Akbar, Jahangir and their wives? 2. When Jodha-Akbar was made on Rajput princess Jodha and Mughal king Akbar's love story? 3. Ashoka was made with a filmi bob like SRK, on biggest legend of India, King Ashoka? Listen, I understand that a great warrior simply can not be the way they portrayed him in that song, but Artistic freedom is paramount. The right way of protesting would be to create another movie on Bajirao with even better presentation. Thats how we protest in a democracy.