As the clouds of uncertainty loom large over the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film ‘Padmavati’, the Maharashtra government is trying its bit to provide some relief. Amid several severe threats of burning down the movie theatres to beheading Deepika Padukone, the Maharashtra government has assured to provide security to all theatres screening ‘Padmavati’.

Minister of State for Home (Urban) Ranjit Patil told the media that they will take all measures to ensure security and are keeping a close watch to prevent any untoward incident. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had already provided a precautionary security cover to Bhansali who is facing death threats for a while now.

Similarly After the Rajasthan-based fringe group Rajput Karni Sena threatened to chop off the film’s lead actress Deepika Padukone’s nose, special security has been provided to her by the Mumbai Police.

In a video released, a leader of the group said, “Rajputs never raise a hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshmana did to Shrupnakha.” Not just this, the group also called for a bandh across India on December 1, 2017 – the day Padmavati is slated to hit the screens.

For the record, the opposing groups had met government representatives on the issue for discussion. Ram Kadam, BJP legislator from Mumbai, who is also the president of the Film Studios Setting and Allied Mazdoor Sangh, is opposing the film and has refused to work with Bhansali in future. Rajput Karni Sena has also announced nationwide bandh on December 1, the release date of ‘Padmavati.’

Padmavati first ran into trouble when Bhansali was physically assaulted by some members of the Rajput Karni Sena on the sets in Jaipur in February this year. Ever since then, the fringe group has been issuing threats that they won’t let the film release. The furore against the film has been rising by the day and is at its peak currently when it is just two weeks away from its release.

Padmavati is based on the legend of Rani Padmini of Chittor and the fanatic groups believe that the film features a romantic sequence between the queen and the Mughal emperor Alauddin Khilji. While Bhansali has invariably denied these allegations, these groups refuse to believe it.

Today, under immense pressure, Bhansali has agreed to show the film to the members of the Rajput Karni Sena.
Padmavati, bankrolled by Bhansali Productions, features Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in important roles besides Deepika.