Glamourising Alauddin Khilji akin to praising acid attackers: Haryana minister Vipul Goel on Padmavati row

In letters to Union minister Smriti Irani and Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Haryana minister Vipul Goel today sought changes in the Bollywood film and said that “glamourising Alauddin Khilji’s character was akin to praising those who carry out acid attacks on girls”.

In a letter to the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Goel drew Irani’s attention to the controversy surrounding the film, due to release shortly. He said that apart from the Rajput community, there were concerns regarding the movie in other sections of the people as well.

The magnum opus starring Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji, is based on the legend of Rani Padmini, a Hindu Rajput queen. The minister claimed that these concerns pertain to “whether historical facts in the film have been presented in a twisted manner”.

“There is anger among the people of Haryana, like many other states, regarding the film glorifying the negative character of Alauddin Khilji rather than our own rich history,” the Haryana Industries and Commerce minister said in his letter to Irani.

He also mentioned that films based on historical facts, while exercising the freedom of thought, should also keep in mind the people’s sentiments and culture. “Therefore, I request you that the film be cleared only after keeping in view the public sentiments and historical facts, and ensuring that historical facts are not twisted in the movie,” he appealed to the Union minister.

Source : Hindustan Times