Celebrities including Sonam Kapoor, music composer Vishal Dadlani, southern star Arvind Swami and Ashok Pandit have condemned the attack on filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali by activists of a Rajput community group during the shooting of his upcoming movie “Padmavati“.
A group of activists forced stopped the shooting of the filmmaker’s next directorial venture by vandalising the set at Jaigarh Fort, of Jaipur and also assaulted him.
“What happened on Padmavati sets is appalling and heinous. Is this the state of the world,” Sonam tweeted. Dadlani wrote, “Sick! #SanjayLeelaBhansali one of our most respected filmmakers, attacked on his set. Hope the film industry comes together against this!”
“There are legal ways to object if they have an issue. Physical attack is not an ‘objection’, it is a criminal act, meant to intimidate,” he added. Swami posted, “If crime is not countered with punishment, the balance will tilt towards lawlessness. Law and order is needed to protect freedom #Urgent”
“I condemn the attack on #SanjayLeelaBhansali on the sets of #Padmavati in #Jaipur. We’re concerned about his & the entire unit’s well-being,” tweeted Pandit.
Actress Huma Qureshi wrote, “Shocked by the attack on #SanjayLeelaBhansali … Shame! These hooligans must be stopped ..Who gives them the right to behave like this.”
Veteran actress Simi Garewal tweeted, “Sanjay Leela Bhansali” HORRIFIED!! Words fail me…Assaulting vandalising over a film not even made! What’s going on here? Arrest the lumens.”
Fashion designer Masaba Mantena wrote, “You can write letters, hold press meetings buy media net if something offends You but slap a respected, grown man you CANNOT do.”
“Masaan” actor Vicky Kaushal tweeted, “Absolutely disgusting and so wrong!” The period drama stars Deepika Padukone in the lead role of Rajput queen Padmavati and features Shahid Kapoor as Raja Ratan Singh.
Ranveer Singh is essaying the role of Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi sultan, who falls in love with Padmavati. The film is scheduled to release in November this year.