Politician offers 10 million Rupees reward for assassinating actress Deepika Padukone
An Indian politician has publicly offered a 10 million Rupee
reward for the heads of actress Deepika Padukone and a Bollywood director for their involvement in making a film that distorted the Hindu queen.
Post Suraj Pal Amu, a politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party, has offered a reward for the lives of actress Deepika Padukone and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The Washington Post quoted Pal Amu as saying: “We will offer a reward of Rs 10 million for the heads (of Padukone and Bhansali).”
The threat was sparked by the religious film Padmavati , based on the centuries-old poem Padmavat, about the life of Queen Padmini.
Deepika Padukone is the highest paid Indian actress in Hollywood
Many accused director Sanjay Leela Bhansali of distorting history and insulting religion by having the queen fall in love with a pagan invader, while in another scene, she danced in a revealing outfit with her midriff exposed.
The protesters have called for a nationwide protest, plastered with inflammatory slogans, vandalized theaters, and burned movie billboards. They also want to punish actress Deepika Padukone, who appeared in xXx: Return of Xander Cage alongside Vin Diesel and played Queen Padmini.
Anti-film groups called for protests and other actions to prevent the film from being released in theaters.
“Noble Rajput warriors never beat women, but we were forced to punish Deepika the way Lakshmana punished Surpanakha” (with a knife to cut off her nose), said a member of the Rajput Karni Sena group.
Leaders in several states have demanded that all controversial scenes be removed before the film is released. But Post Suraj Pal Amu told The Indian Express : “There is no need to discuss cutting scenes from the film. We will not allow it to be shown in any theatre.”
Other Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have condemned Amu’s actions and said they are considering legal action against him. Authorities have ordered protection for actress Deepika Padukone and her family.
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali spoke up to explain that it was all just a misunderstanding but could not quell the anger of the extremist group.
Actress Padukone shared her feelings about the strong public reaction: “It is terrible. But the only people we have to hold accountable is the censor board.
I know and I believe that nothing can stop the release of this film.”
Meanwhile, director Bhansali posted a video clarifying that there was no romance between the Muslim king and the Hindu queen. “We have made this film very responsibly, keeping in mind the dignity of Rajputs and respect,” Sanjay Leela Bhansali said.
The film was scheduled to be released on December 1 but has been delayed indefinitely.
