The debate around the historical accuracy of fictional cinema like Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Padmavati raises critical questions, once again, about barring art for hurting ‘public sentiment’. Once approved by the censor board, must there be any other tests that movies need to pass? ThePrint asks a panel of experts:
Should concerns of a particular community come in the way of Padmavati’s release?
Shekhar Suman
Film and television actor
“It would be wrong to stop a film, which may just turn out to be a milestone in the Indian film industry. We just don’t know yet.”
Manvendra Singh
BJP MLA
“Rani Padmini’s sacrifice elevated her to the status of a goddess in popular perceptions. And hence the veneration by all, and not just by her fellow Rajputs.”
Samarth Mahajan
Creative director, Kahaani Wale
“If we were to ban films based on concerns of communities, we’d probably never be able to tell the many “truths” that exist simultaneously.”
Vijay Tiwari
Spokesperson, Vishwa Hindu Parishad
“Hindu characters are often a soft target for such manipulation. M.F. Hussain’s paintings and the film PK made a mockery of our religion and Hindu gods.”
Rana Safvi
Author, ‘Tales from the Quran and Hadith’
“I think communities, whether religious or cultural, should develop more tolerant attitudes.”
R. S. Khangarot
Senior historian and Principal, Agrawal PG College Jaipur
“If there is any deviation from those facts, then the movie must be banned. The love affair between Khilji and Padmini is a gross fallacy.”