Poet | 1541
पद्मावती
(नागमती-सती-खंड)
पदमावति पुनि पहिरि पटोरी । चली साथ पिउ के होइ जोरी ॥
सूरुज छपा, रैनि होइ गई । पूनो-ससि सो अमावस भई ॥
छोरे केस, मोति लर छूटीं । जानहुँ रैनि नखत सब टूटीं ॥
सेंदुर परा जो सीस अघारा । आगि लागि चह जग अँधियारा ॥
यही दिवस हौं चाहति, नाहा । चलौं साथ, पिउ ! देइ गलबाहाँ ॥
सारस पंखि न जियै निनारे । हौं तुम्ह बिनु का जिऔं, पियारे ॥
नेवछावरि कै तन छहरावौं । छार होउँ सँग, बहुरि न आवौं ॥
सूरुज छपा, रैनि होइ गई । पूनो-ससि सो अमावस भई ॥
छोरे केस, मोति लर छूटीं । जानहुँ रैनि नखत सब टूटीं ॥
सेंदुर परा जो सीस अघारा । आगि लागि चह जग अँधियारा ॥
यही दिवस हौं चाहति, नाहा । चलौं साथ, पिउ ! देइ गलबाहाँ ॥
सारस पंखि न जियै निनारे । हौं तुम्ह बिनु का जिऔं, पियारे ॥
नेवछावरि कै तन छहरावौं । छार होउँ सँग, बहुरि न आवौं ॥
दीपक प्रीति पतँग जेउँ जनम निबाह करेउँ ।
नेवछावरि चहुँ पास होइ कंठ लागि जिउ देउँ ॥1॥
नेवछावरि चहुँ पास होइ कंठ लागि जिउ देउँ ॥1॥
नागमती पदमावति रानी । दुवौ महा सत सती बखानी ॥
दुवौ सवति चढि खाट बईठीं । औ सिवलोक परा तिन्ह दीठी ॥
बैठौ कोइ राज औ पाटा । अंत सबै बैठे पुनि खाटा ॥
चंदन अगर काठ सर साजा । औ गति देइ चले लेइ राजा ॥
बाजन बाजहिं होइ अगूता । दुवौ कंत लेइ चाहहिं सूता ॥
एक जो बाजा भएउ बियाहू । अब दुसरे होइ ओर-निबाहू ॥
जियत जो जरै कंत के आसा । मुएँ रहसि बैठे एक पासा ॥
दुवौ सवति चढि खाट बईठीं । औ सिवलोक परा तिन्ह दीठी ॥
बैठौ कोइ राज औ पाटा । अंत सबै बैठे पुनि खाटा ॥
चंदन अगर काठ सर साजा । औ गति देइ चले लेइ राजा ॥
बाजन बाजहिं होइ अगूता । दुवौ कंत लेइ चाहहिं सूता ॥
एक जो बाजा भएउ बियाहू । अब दुसरे होइ ओर-निबाहू ॥
जियत जो जरै कंत के आसा । मुएँ रहसि बैठे एक पासा ॥
आजु सूर दिन अथवा, आजु रेनि ससि बूड ।
आजु नाचि जिउ दीजिय, आजु आगि हम्ह जूड ॥2॥
आजु नाचि जिउ दीजिय, आजु आगि हम्ह जूड ॥2॥
.सर रचि दान पुन्नि बहु कीन्हा । सात बार फिरि भाँवरि लीन्हा ॥
एक जो भाँवरि भईं बियाही । अब दुसरे होइ गोहन जाहीं ॥
जियत, कंत ! तुम हम्ह गर लाई । मुए कंठ नहिं छोडँहिं,साईं !
औ जो गाँठि, कंत ! तुम्ह जोरी । आदि अंत लहि जाइ न छोरी ।
यह जग काह जो अछहि न आथी । हम तुम, नाह ! दुहुँ जग साथी ॥
लेइ सर ऊपर खाट बिछाई । पौंढी दुवौ कंत गर लाई ॥
लागीं कंठ आगि देइ होरी । छार भईं जरि, अंग न मोरी ॥
एक जो भाँवरि भईं बियाही । अब दुसरे होइ गोहन जाहीं ॥
जियत, कंत ! तुम हम्ह गर लाई । मुए कंठ नहिं छोडँहिं,साईं !
औ जो गाँठि, कंत ! तुम्ह जोरी । आदि अंत लहि जाइ न छोरी ।
यह जग काह जो अछहि न आथी । हम तुम, नाह ! दुहुँ जग साथी ॥
लेइ सर ऊपर खाट बिछाई । पौंढी दुवौ कंत गर लाई ॥
लागीं कंठ आगि देइ होरी । छार भईं जरि, अंग न मोरी ॥
रातीं पिउ के नेह गइँ, सरग भएउ रतनार ।
जो रे उवा , सो अथवा; रहा न कोइ संसार ॥3॥
जो रे उवा , सो अथवा; रहा न कोइ संसार ॥3॥
वै सहगवन भईं जब जाई । बादसाह गड छेंका आई ॥
तौ लगि सो अवसर होइ बीता । भए अलोप राम औ सीता ॥
आइ साह जो सुना अखारा । होइगा राति दिवस उजियारा ॥
छार उठाइ लीन्ह एक मूठी । दीन्ह उडाइ, पिरथिमी झूठी ॥
सगरिउ कटक उठाई माटी । पुल बाँधा जहँ जहँ गढ-घाटी ॥
जौ लहि ऊपर छार न परै । तौ लहि यह तिस्ना नहिं मरै ॥
भा धावा, भइ जूझ असूझा । बादल आइ पँवरि पर जूझा ॥
तौ लगि सो अवसर होइ बीता । भए अलोप राम औ सीता ॥
आइ साह जो सुना अखारा । होइगा राति दिवस उजियारा ॥
छार उठाइ लीन्ह एक मूठी । दीन्ह उडाइ, पिरथिमी झूठी ॥
सगरिउ कटक उठाई माटी । पुल बाँधा जहँ जहँ गढ-घाटी ॥
जौ लहि ऊपर छार न परै । तौ लहि यह तिस्ना नहिं मरै ॥
भा धावा, भइ जूझ असूझा । बादल आइ पँवरि पर जूझा ॥
जौहर भइ सब इस्तरी, पुरुष भए संग्राम ।
बादसाह गढ चूरा, चितउर भा इसलाम ॥4॥
बादसाह गढ चूरा, चितउर भा इसलाम ॥4॥
My pen was flowing like water, serene free-flowing water. I
was astounded by my own capabilities of turning a fictional story into a poem
that concludes at a defeat, yet is powerful and uplifting.
It came out exactly how I wanted it to be- epic. I am Muslim
by birth, but I grew up following Kabir and was a student of many wise Hindu
preachers. I lost my parents at a very young age and as I wandered, random
humans of this nation looked after me. I wrote more than 20 scripts, but this
one was special in a fulfilling way. My only motive was to convey a story, a
parable, and I did. I feel like I was born to structure it through my pen. Now,
I can die.
This is what he must
be feeling; this is what he must be apprehending. As recorded, Jaisi, the
Indian Sufi poet, died in 1542 in Amethi, one year after he finished writing
Padmavat, the most distinguished work of his.
The poem Padmavat ends with Jayasi's own
words, "I have made up the story and related it." According
to Jawaharlal Nehru University historian Aditya Mukherjee, “in the contemporary
period, there is no mention of this event, no accounts of Padmavati by Amir Khusrau, a prolific writer of the era and a
courtier of Alauddin Khilji." He states that there "is no historical
evidence of this Padmavati event - this story is a poet's imagination".
Padmavat is a strong composition, capable of taking
the nation by a storm. But little did Jaisi knew, that this piece of
imagination could take the nation by storm even after 4 centuries, in a way
that is unimaginable, unacceptable and insane.
Director | 2017
Just like any other movie, it started with an idea. Padmavat
has been a part of my career since a decade. I was highly impressed by the
characters depicted in the age old poem; this inspired me to recreate the
setting and make an opera version of it. In Paris, I produced a show in 2008.
That is where I finally decided to direct a film version. I started working on
the period drama, unaware of the flood of troubles I was inviting with it.
Padmavat, as I knew, was a legend, a tale to inspire and
insight. The poem which features elements of fantasy,
describes her story beautifully. Padmavati was a beautiful princess of
the Singhal kingdom. Ratan Sen,
the Rajput ruler
of Chittor, heard about her beauty from a talking
parrot named Hiraman. After an adventurous quest, he won her hand in
marriage and brought her to Chittor. Alauddin
Khalji, the Sultan of Delhi also heard about her
beauty, and laid siege to Chittor to obtain her. Many events occurred during
the period of the Siege, till the Fort was finally taken. Meanwhile, Ratan Sen
was killed in a duel with Devpal, the king of Kumbhalner who
was also enamoured with Padmavati's beauty. Before Alauddin Khalji could
capture Chittor, Padmavati and her companions committed Jauhar to
protect their honour. After her sacrifice, the Rajput men died fighting on the
battlefield.
The story was captivating and eternal. And I wanted my film
to be big in all ways. Consequently, I was prepared to give up the cost
attached to it. Everything was set, my team was ready- the producers, the
writers, the stars, the cinematographers, musicians, distributors.... everyone
and everything. The process wasn’t easy, but my goal kept me going and the
filming began.
The troubles
for Padmavati started during the shoot itself, with Shri Rajput Karni
Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, damaging sets at Jaipur’s
Jaigarh Fort and assaulting the Director in January. Vandalism followed at the
shoot in Kolhapur in March. Other groups like Jai Rajputana Sangh joined the
protests even as Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani kept
promising a safe passage for the film. In October, a Surat artist’s rangoli,
featuring the lead Deepika Padukone, was destroyed in a matter of minutes. The
Karni Sena claims the film distorts facts and hurts their pride and sentiments.
(The Hindu,November 25,2017)
Post the vandalism, I was dumbstruck. I was scared and uplifted at the same
time. There is no historical record of Padmavati’s existence. For me, the
insistence on demanding accuracy in period dramas is an infringement on
creativity and pure politics. Sadly, no one in power was ready to take a
stance.
The body of a
man was found hanging from Jaipur’s Nahargarh fort on Friday morning and a
message written on a rock nearby suggested the death was linked to the row over the
Bollywood movie Padmavati. Protests against the film for allegedly distorting history
have been on for weeks across the country, with two states — Madhya
Pradesh and Gujarat — even banning it from release. Several threats
have been issued by fringe Hindu right-wing groups against actress Deepika
Padukone, who plays Padmavati, and the film’s director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.(Hindustan
Times, November 24, 2017)
The continued threats imposed
by extra-constitutional bodies and States on films had started becoming a
trend, an absurd trend. I was disheartened at a point during the making, but
peer support and my self-growing will pushed me. The perennial question of
censorship was constantly revolving in my mind. On the other hand, the response
to the film from various quarters exposes the deep-seated patriarchal,
conservative mindset to the depiction of women on screen, was saddening me.
The Karni Sena has threatened a
Bharat bandh on December 1 and violent protests which led to Padmavati’s
release being postponed. Its members have been hugely enjoying the current
fame-shame game on TV. Last week, he appeared with a sword in the studio which
he proceeded to unsheathe with great flourish and, mindful of the TV camera on
him, gave it a menacing twirl, accompanied by some cutting remarks. When the
anchor told him to stop all the “tamasha”, he placed the weapon on his lap, a
piercing look in his eyes. (The Indian Express, November 23, 2017)
The Karni Sena persisted; it insists there is a distortion
of historical facts — without any of its members having seen the film. The progressions were very fast and unsteady. Each day
was new, unexpected and fiery. But one morning, I read the news on my phone
with a wide smile. Finally, somebody took charge, for the right thing.
Industry | 2017
A large number of
members of the film and entertainment industry gathered here on Sunday to
express their support to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming Padmavati, and questioned the status
of freedom of speech and expression in India's democracy when a caste group
like the Karni Sena could constantly threaten the filmmakers and travel
nationwide to stop its release. The protest started with the National Anthem in
the memory of the victims of 26/11 terrorist attack as Sunday was its 9th
anniversary.
Addressing the
protesters and media, Ashoke Pandit of the Indian Films and TV Directors'
Association (IFTDA) said, "We, all the members of the film industry, are
sensible enough to portray our history and culture in a sensible way; and it is
the basic right to all the citizen of a democratic country to express thoughts
freely. How could some non-constitutional bodies threaten to behead a filmmaker
and cut the nose of an actress? Is this even democracy?"
Himanshu Bhatt,
Secretary of Association of Voice Artistes, said: "I know Sanjay for years
now, because we started working together as professionals from his debut film
'Khamoshi' and continued working till 'Devdas'. Surely I know his artistic
sensibilities better than people who are protesting against 'Padmavati'... who
did not even watch a single frame of the film."
"I don't
believe he would project any character or culture in such an insensitive manner
to hurt anyone. We have the CBFC to decide what film is suitable for public
view. Those groups (like Karni Sena) cannot just attack our basic right to freedom
of expression. Let the film release and then criticise or appreciate in a
civilised manner," he said.
Veteran actor Pawan
Malhotra, who was also present, said the situation was alarming for the nation,
going beyond the film's release. "The way a series of incidents regarding
the release of 'Padmavati' is happening is worrisome because we are living in a
country where our freedom of expression is controlled by a group of
people."
Salman Khan, through his show
Bigg Boss, extended his support for Bhansali and the film by saying that he
makes beautiful films without ever depicting vulgarity. Salman also added he is
certain that the director will never show any character in a bad light.
Farhan Akhtar lamented at an
event that the film industry lacks unity because of which everyone suffers. The
actor once said, “Everyone gets scared when it's their film on the line. It is
a small industry... There are not that many people. If they don't come together
to create an environment where they themselves can function in, the way they
want to, nobody else is going to do it for them.” He also added that he is
against banning or censoring of any kind. “I am totally against anything being
banned. I genuinely believe we should stop treating our audiences as children.
We should allow them to grow.”
Sonam Kapoor lashed out
strongly against the fringe groups threatening violence on social media. She
wrote, “I’m appalled at the drama that’s unfolding... it’s ludicrous and I’m so
ashamed of some of these Indians.”
Anurag Basu tweeted, “It’s
bizarre!! The whole #Padmavati row is based on just presumptions. Protestors
have not seen a single frame of the film yet, but they know that history has
been tampered! How!?”
In support of the film, Arjun Kapoor mentioned, “Yet again a man has to
justify creativity because politics & propaganda creates an ugly
environment. He’s a fantastic filmmaker his vision must be trusted. I’m sure
Rani Padmavati & her story will be depicted with respect by him &
@RanveerOfficial @deepikapadukone @shahidkapoor.”
Talking about the whole
matter, the acclaimed filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said, “We absolutely condemn
such act, any kind of violence in the theatre. I feel the film should be passed
by the censor board, as it is a constitutional body and it has people from
different walks of life, who have the knowledge of exactly what is there in the
movie.”
(Times Now News, Business
Standard and Press Reader, November 27, 2017)
Rajput | 2017
I am a Rajput and by no means a group of people from our
caste or a feature film can define the whole us. I am neither supporting the
Movie ‘Padmawati’, nor the Rajput associations by saying this. I am just being
true. Everything changes with time. There were times when we had our kings and
queens, their territories and empires. The king used to rule the local people
and we used to face war among different empires. We did not choose wars for us but our ruler
did. Whatever may be the reason of war, the core agenda always had remained
‘claiming’ and ‘protecting’ a particular region and religion. No matter if the
fights were right or wrong, but that does not change the fact that it killed
humans, animals, and moreover, the nature. That is the reason we stopped
practising it and it is now called ‘history’. So, past is past, which should not be
distorted, but it is not a matter of my ‘pride’.
We stepped into
‘democracy’ with time, so that every individual could select their leader no
matter which caste or religion they belong.
There is a ‘Law and order’ maintaining different bodies to look after
different issues, so everything is sorted with ‘peace’. There is still a
loophole in the society like historic times. This place has been taken by
‘corruption’ today, and the core agenda now remains ‘power’ and ‘money’ for a
particular person or group of people. We are all a part of it, every
individual, because we let it grow.
Lokendra Singh Kalvi is the son
of the late Kalyan Singh Kalvi, the former Union cabinet minister who led a
massive Rajput agitation against the Sati ban. Lokendra has also tried his luck
in politics but lost elections twice, and has been in and out of the BJP and
Congress. When his pro-reservation agitation for the economically weak of all
castes failed to have any impact on the governments in power, he set up the
Karni Sena in 2006 to bring an element of aggression among the Rajput youth.
Now, with the Padmavati issue, it has seen it grow "across India" as
a Hindu hardliner group "that fights for national pride"; "We
resort to aggression only when our peaceful overtures fall on deaf ears,'' says
Kalvi. (India Today, November 23, 2017)
This seems like the journey of a single person who is trying hard
to stay into ‘power’. His failure to actuate his ideas and get a good position
in political parties has evolved the formation of a group that choose violence
to get their things done. Does Rajput choose this way to get identified or is
it just this group?
On Deepika
Padukone statement that "we have regressed as a nation”, members of Rajput
Karni Sena vandalised a theatre in Kota in Rajasthan, after rumours of the
trailer of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film being shown surfaced. The
protesters pelted stones and broke window panes, gates and the ticket counter,
and damaged some office furniture. They also allegedly shouted slogans against
Bhansali. (The Times of India)
Is it not a
terror attack? A group of people with common believes vandalising a public property
and threatening common people of varied age. In response of a “statement” in a
country that supports “freedom of speech”.
"Six states have already announced
that they will not release the film in their states. We welcome it. Till the
new release dates are announced, we want at least 20 CMs to do it. A nationwide
ban is in the jurisdiction of the government of India as per a section in the
Cinematography Act. The Centre can ban a film even before or after clearance by
the censor board," Lokendra Singh Kalvi said at a press conference in
Jaipur, he also said, "We request
the Prime Minister to intervene and ban the film ," (Showsha, November 28, 2017)
A group of
people from one caste demand for a ban and few states agree to that? To an extent
that they are ready to consider the ban even if CBFC allow film’s release. And
when as an individual you think this as the ‘heights’ of intolerance, you are still
to hear something that is ‘intolerable’.
After the
Kshatriya Samaj announced a reward of Rs 5 crore on beheading Deepika Padukone,
the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha (ABKM) has also put a reward of Rs 1
crore to anyone burning the Bollywood actress alive. Stating that the actress
should realise how it feels when Rani Padmavati had performed Jauhar to save
her modesty, the ABKM President reportedly said that Deepika would know the
real character of Rani Padmavati when she is burnt alive. He also added that
they will give Rs 1 crore to anyone forcing her to do so. (The Times of India-
Entertainment)
Now there are questions lying straight before us; is announcing
bounty to kill someone publicly is not punishable in democracy? Is it
actually prestigious for Rajputs to kill a living lady to protect a ‘might-be
mythical’ queen? Are we not encouraging these threats by not looking into them
legally?
In an
interview with ANI, Queen of Rajasthan's Bundi, Mayuri Singh said, "Let
the movie Padmavati release first, Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has assured
us of nothing demeaning (of the Rajput clan has been shown) in it." She
also said, “If after release, we think something is objectionable, then we will
protest.” (The Times of India)
If the movie is so much against the prestige of a
Rajput queen, why is Mayuri Singh supporting the release of the film? And it also pushes us to think, does these
Rajput-associations really worried about ‘national pride’ or about ‘gaining
power’?
As I said, past is not the matter of my
‘pride’. Of course, if a movie has really ‘distorted history’, I will watch the
movie and then see. But what I know now, for sure, is beheading people or
chopping their nose off in the name of protest is not ‘national pride’ and
being a Rajput, I will never support such act; it’s not my culture.
Actor | 2017
The moment I stepped into
Padmavati, she took over me. I didn’t just pick the role; I was there while
building it up. I read, researched and lived her. I feel I am still living her.
The courage I am having is backed by her soul. I and my makers just kept on
doing and things got into place. We have gone through so much, from the time we
got into this project.
Deepika had earlier said at a
press conference, “I read some amazing articles that said how we turned
beauty and changed its definition. It’s high time we did that. As women, we
have been conditioned to think a certain way. I am glad about what we did with
Padmavati and my look. It takes an immense amount of belief for all of us to
take that risk, in a sense because that is not how the audience is conditioned.
Padmavati’s beauty is beyond the physical beauty. It is her soul, her spirit;
it is what she meant to her people. She is worshipped and we have to give her
that due and this movie is that. Keeping all that in mind – courage, power and
all of it." (The Indian Express)
We were shooting in Jaipur and suddenly a group vandalized our sets, my director was beaten up and they
moved us out. And it never stopped. The time we announced over film, I had no
idea that things could worsen to this extent. We couldn’t release our film. I am
going to places with police security around me; because I might get burnt or get
beheaded or get my nose chopped off... in my own country. I am not safe. I have
got a lot of love from people, I have got criticism; I welcome both ... to
become better with time. But how should I take threats? How do I not react when
my team is in trouble, when an artist is in trouble? Why should I not find it
appalling?
“It
is absolutely appalling. What we have gotten ourselves into? And where have we
reached as a nation? We have regressed.” Deepika Podukone said and got
“trolled”. But why do we ignore her “we” in the statement.
Why should I not tell my
nation that we have regressed? I take everything positively but violence and
threats are something completely wrong. I will always raise my voice against
wrong doings. It’s not about freedom of speech and expression any more. We have
gone beyond that because we have failed to live up to democracy; we have failed
to stick to our morals. We are going back into the time we had left behind...
Opinions come from experiences. We have given her the
reasons to say so. We all are free, but wise are those who value it. We are a
nation prior to a religion.
Well, at this
point, as a woman, an artiste and a citizen of this country I feel angry, I
feel let down and I also find it amusing. I will never feel scared. Fear
is not an emotion I have ever identified with. Yes, people are allowed
to express themselves without having even seen the film. And having worked in
the film, I can assure you it's one film every Indian will be proud of. I'm
glad we are showcasing Padmaviti's journey. Her story needs to be told not just
to people in this country but across the world. I have full faith in the judicial system of our country.
I know no wrong will be done. (Mumbai Mirror,
November 18, 2017)
I will not say anything to
anybody. I will take all the love people share for my film and rest will fall
into place.
CBFC | 2017
Central Board of Film
Certification is a body of censorship and classification under Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. It is tasked with regulating
the public exhibition of films, under the provisions of Cinematograph Act 1952.
Any movie has to be provided
to CBFC 68 days before the willing release date by its makers, along with
required documents. Generally, it takes less than 68 days for CBFC to certify
films, but they have set this limit for special cases like the one happened
with movie ‘Padmavati’. As per reports, ‘Padmavati’ was given to the panel on
November 11 for certification, thus failing to be released on December 1 as the
protests on the movie were on. Another issue with the movie was ‘technical’,
where the makers had not mentioned whether the events from the movie were
fictional. Various Rajput groups and politicians accusing the
director of ‘distorting historical facts’ by including a dream sequence between
queen Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji.
Central
Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi said that the board asks
for 68 days for the certification process of a film so that they have enough
time if a situation like the Padmavati row comes up. “We need to understand that the CBFC must take a
balanced decision. This situation was not created by the CBFC. It had nothing
to do with the protests on the roads. You show the film to media houses and get
reviews done but you want CBFC to deliver a fair and well-thought out
decision?” Joshi said. (Live mint, November
20 2017)
Answering to a question from a reporter asking
whether the act of Sanjay Leela Bhansali showing his movie ‘Padmavati’ to media
was right or wrong, Film Director Anurag Kashyup said it was legal to hold
private screenings before the certification as long as one is not charging for
it or holding public presentations. He also said that movies were shown to
different countries at different film festival commonly, even before certifying
it by CBFC.
“I respect Sanjay Leela Bhansali a lot. As a
member of the film fraternity, I understand him. But this issue is not about
Bhansali. It is about the controversy over the film,” he said. “For that to
happen, we need to have patience. There is an anxiety, eagerness, aggression
and impatience, which need to end. Unless you end that, you are not doing
justice to the CBFC because the situation has not been created by us. If you
expect a solution, you need to give CBFC time, space and a state of mind so
that they can take a decision. That’s what I request from everyone who is
involved in this.” Joshi said, “I condemn any kind of violence but I respect
feelings, creativity and the different groups of the society. In light of all
these things, the CBFC has to take a well-thought out decision.” (Live mint, November 20 2017)
On November 30, a parliament committee of
30-members, lead by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, summoned Film director Sanjay Leela
Bhansali to defend him against accusations of Rajput sentiments being hurt in
his upcoming movie. There were a series of allegation that Bhansali faced.
The panel said it seemed his movies tend to target
communities which produced tension between them. He was also asked if creating
controversy was a new trend to sell a movie.
Even if someone doesn’t support the movie,
one cannot deny that there is nothing objectionable in the trailer, or the
songs, or the posters of the movie. The only trailer launched by the makers’
progress by showing the colours and culture of Chittor palace with amazing chemistry between Raja Ratan Rawal and Rani
Padmavati on the one side, and on the other side; it shows the ruler Allaudin
Khilji in a negative manner with scars on his face and war in his actions. Not
a single frame shows his love or lust for Rani Padmavati neither does any frame
shows them together. So, the panel asking Bhansali’s work ‘target communities
to produce tension’ seems completely political.
They also asked, “How
could you assume that the movie could be released on December 1 when you
applied on November 11”, and also asked, “Is selective media screening of the
movie fair and ethical? Was it an act to influence the Central Board of Film
Certification (CBFC)?”
However they were right in asking questions
about certification and were also right asking about media screening of the
movie. Private screenings are a part of movie promotions from years. So,
telling this act as pulling pressure on CBFC is exaggerated as the renowned
journalist Arnab Goswami and Rajat Sharma just shared their review without
accusing CBFC.
The Parliament
IT committee was held to examine the subject ‘Film Industry: Problems and
Challenges’ and Bhansali was given time to answer the question in ‘written
form’. Also, Prasoon Joshi told the parliament that ‘Padmvati’ would be shown
to a bench of historian for checking ‘historical facts’. (India Today, December
1, 2017 and NDTV, Novembe 30, 2017)
| History |
Irfan Habib is an Indian historian of ancient and medieval
India, awarded by Padma Bhushan. He said that Padmavati was a character in the book
Padmawat written by Malik Mohammad Jayasi in Bhaktikal, which has no connection
with history at all, “Jayasi
had penned it (the book) during Akbar’s reign around 1550 AD, wherein he had
mentioned Alauddin Khilji, but Khilji existed from 1296 to 1316.”
“Before
any serial or film, the producer always gives a disclaimer announcing that the
story bears no resemblance with anyone living or dead and in that way he
tampers with history,” Habib said. Commenting on the need to de-link works
of fiction from history, Habib said, “There are stories in every country, but
they cannot be accepted as part of history. England has a story of Robinhood,
but it was never treated as history. But in our country, myths and stories are
given a status of history.” (Hindustan times, April 07 2017)
Prof. Habib clearly slams the existence of Rani
Padmavati and also asks other to not link ‘stories’ with ‘history’. Then why
the Shri Rajput association of Rajasthan is protesting for a fictional queen?
Are they unaware of history? Or they count a fictional tale as a ‘documented
history’ in their minds? Or they are doing this to gain a bit of ‘fame’? Having
sentiments is okay, but why so sentimental around a tale? Let us here it one
more time in Prof Rajat
Datta’s perspective, who is a
professor at JNU’s Centre for Historical Studies as he wrote via ‘the wire’, on
December 1, 2017.
“We know that Khilji’s attack on the fort
of Chittor occurred around the year 1303. Apart from one direct contemporary
Persian narrative of this invasion (the Khazain-ul Futuh of
Amir Khusrau), we have a relatively proximate source from Rajasthan which
describes the invasions of the Sultan from Delhi. This is Nayanchandra
Suri’s Hammira Mahakavya, a text written a century or so after the
fall of Chittor. This text provides significant details of the Chauhan rulers
of Ranthambhor who fell to the same Sultan in the late 13th century. The text
mentions Princess Devalla Devi, daughter of Hammira, whose hand was
unsuccessfully sought in marriage by Khilji; but it makes no mention of Padmini
or Padmavati, even in passing. In fact, the most detailed description of the
fall of Chittor comes from Khusrau who was an eye-witness, but once again
without reference to Padmini as a factor in that battle. In fact, Padmini
surfaced for the first time in Malik Muhamamd Jayasi’s Padmavat,
written in Awadh around 1540, and then began to periodically appear in the
bardic literature of Rajasthan. She surfaced in Hemratan’s Gora Badal
Chaupai (1589), Mohta Nainsi’s Khyat (1660), Sisod
Vamsavali (c. 1657), and Rawal Ranaji ri Vat (ca.
1691). However, the most explicit flourish to this narrative, and possibly the
one which gave Padmini her physical existence was James Tod’s Annals
and Antiquities Rajasthan (1829), and herein lies the crux of today’s
controversy.”
Condemning the existence of Padmini or Padmavati, he
had also mentioned the reason of the dispute over her authenticity. Her
depiction as a ‘brave Rajput queen’ time and again, through literature surfaced
her. Then he had indicated towards the British conspiracy during colonial rule
through James Tod’s work to ignite Hindu and Muslim differences made her a
historical figure. Rajat has also written:
“A myth became
a legend, and a legend became riffed as historical narrative by constant
repetition over a century of reproductions between 1589 to 1691.” And,
“Calibrated gender violence and mass murder of women by upper-caste, warrior
aristocracies, were henceforth sanctified as acts of honour.” he concluded his
article with the remark, “Therefore, the
‘historical’ Padmini is no more than a symbolic manifestation of the fusion of
bardic imagination and colonial ethnography. History had no role to play in her
making, but you still need historians to tell you that.”
Manu S. Pillai, an Indian author known for his debut
non-fiction The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore for which
he won 2017's ‘Yuva Sahitya Akademi Award’ had written for Live Mint, on February 10. 2017
The
19th century, however, saw Padmini upgraded from poetry to ‘fact’. Colonial
writers manufactured the enduring impression of Indian history as a
confrontation between Muslims and Hindus—which justified British rule to keep
the peace in a land of competing antagonisms. The tale of Padmini was now a
communal affair and a sample of Hindu suffering under Islamic tyranny, a
perversion that has had enthusiastic takers in certain obvious quarters.
Even
Indians who didn’t buy this invented historical conflict were willing to play
up the ‘fact’ of Padmini’s sacrifice to fuel the nationalist cause. As Sarojini
Naidu said in an address to the Indian National Congress in 1917, “Womanhood of
India stands by you today…as holders of your banner, sustainers of your
strength. And if you die, remember that the spirit of Padmini of Chittor is
enshrined with the manhood of India.” Padmini found herself a
transfixed patriotic audience, and by the early 20th century versions were in
circulation in influential Bengali circles also.
We are a land of stories. We
are brought up listening to stories of Indians Gods, Kings, patriots, and of
the Indian culture. Everyone has the right to use their own words, their own
characters and their own depiction to draw a message out of the incidents that
have taken place in past. And then leave it to the listener or viewer to
extract the goodness from it. We learn, appreciate, criticise or get an impact
from the story. But we absolutely go wrong when we state them to be ‘real’.
Also, people holding notable
positions, should realise their responsibility on where to draw the nation. In
past centuries, a politician has called her real, leading a huge number of
people believes in the existence of Padmavati. Even today, politicians are not
ready to call her an ‘imagination’ and asking to ban the movie for the
‘distortion’ of the dignity of imaginable character. Or, they are just using
the protest for ‘vote gain’ in the upcoming election?
As Padmavati does not belong
to history and Jayasi’s poem is a ‘work of fiction’, it is pointless to ask
Bhansali about distorting history, making all these protests unnecessary.
However, while depicting Allaudin Khiliji, the makers should have pictured him
as he was documented in history rather than exaggerating the look to suit the
‘vicious villain’ category. They sure have the ‘cinematic liberty’ but they
should be responsible while showing a historical ruler because at the end,
images leave impressions for centuries.
Media |
2017
Mass communication drives and channelises information, both
good and bad. In all cases, we are part of the story invariably. Will the
incendiary and violent threats of the Karni Sena and opposing leaders receive
any surface if the media channel is cut off? Some way or the other, I felt like
a supporter of the commotion.
No one more so than the Karni
Sena’s constant ultimatums of violence which have led three CMs to ban the film
in their states and other politicians to either oppose it or publicly flaunt
bounty offers with impunity — and be TV’s most wanted panelists. Why allow them
so much TV time when they listen to nothing that TV says? (Indian
Express, November 23, 2017)
I try to blame the TV. But who is actually to blame here? Is
it the fault of the filmmaker for trying to dramatise the much-believed legend?
Or are the protesters wrong for expressing their discontent in an absurd way?
Is it right for the political leaders to interrupt in the matters of the Censor
Board?
"They
decide all the norms - what to wear, what to eat, how to celebrate a festival,
what are the subject a filmmaker can film on ... the list is never ending! I
ask them, why? How come they overpower the right of the CBFC to decide on a
film? How come they overpower the Constitution of India to decide on our basic
right to freedom?" (Indian Express, November 23, 2017)
Many questions came popping up on my mind. I
felt the air of unjust. What has India become? India claims it is a
peaceful democracy governed by the rule of law. So, why is the PM quiet? Is it
because of the upcoming elections? Can
people threaten to behead others go scot free? Is it fair to incite violence
against a creative field of expression? There are enough ‘real’ problems in
this nation to tackle, why do they have to create more for a fictional
character anyway? As a media person, do I have responsibilities towards
communicating facts? It keeps me thinking.
For a change, all news channels
have supported Bhansali and Padmavati in the “Fringe v/s Freedom” debate. TV’s
star anchors Rajat Sharma, Arnab Goswami and Zakka Jacob have watched
Padmavati, courtesy Bhansali, and come away with rave reviews, although “I am not
a film critic,” admitted Arnab, modestly. Over the weekend, all three, on air,
said the film is the “greatest ever tribute to Rajput” valour and Padmavati’s
“greatness” and that there is no “distortion” whatsoever of history in even a
single frame. (Indian Express, November 23, 2017)
At the end of the day, I chose
to rest.
Politician | 2017
My state will be very happy to
welcome the movie. I would make special arrangements to accept it, even if
others don’t. However, this is unfortunate and unacceptable that the freedom of
self expression is being killed by the ones those are not in power, and
supported by many those are in power.
On November 22, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani declared his
government would not allow the release of "Padmavati" in the
poll-bound state. Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
said that the film had "distorted facts" about Rajput queen Padmmini
and would not be allowed to be released in his state, even if it gets a censor
board certification. His Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath had held the
movie director responsible for hurting the sentiments of the Rajput community,
while Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had sought edits in the film to remove
"objectionable sequences".(NDTV, November
24, 2017)
Why are the state functionaries ignoring their
responsibility in upholding free expression? Why are they placing themselves
alongside those who are creating unhealthy atmospheres with no solid base? Why
has politics risen among a field that signifies artistry and inspiration?
Even as they
(the politicians) meet world leaders and discuss issues like global
environment, famines, malnutrition or net neutrality, they set their crusty
soldiers on duty through winks, nods and euphemisms to capture the largest
chunk of majority vote bank in their states. It can be said that by fulminating
against and asking for a ban on Padmavati, these soldiers are only finishing
off the work started by their top leaders and carrying out their duty
obediently.(Business Standard, November 23, 2017)
Meanwhile,
filmmaker and former CBFC member Ashoke Pandit questioned the silence of
"industry-made politicians" like MPs Raj Babbar, Paresh Rawal and
Jaya Bachchan. "They should make an appeal to the president, prime
minister or the home minister," he says. "They are not representing
the film industry but the political parties, and every political party has
become a 'Manmohan Singh' today. Isn't it their duty to get together and appeal to the people or
the Karni Sena?"(India Today, November 23, 2017)
True, the film industry and those related to it must come
outraging in support, as one family, as one voice. After all, our voice is our
power. The director wanted the movie to be a national sensation, not a national
issue.
Suraj Pal Amu, Haryana BJP Chief
Media Coordinator, alleged that Haryana CM gave appointment to Rajput Karni
Sena members and left without meeting them. The Karni Sena had submitted a
memorandum to deputy commissioner to ban Padmavati in Haryana. Last week, CM
Khattar said Haryana will take a decision on permitting screening of film
'Padmavati' in the state after it gets clearance from the Central Board of Film
Certification (CBFC). Karni Sena is mounting pressure on Haryana government
after BJP-ruled Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh governments imposed a ban on the
screening of the movie. (One India, November 28, 2017)
It is really head-turning on my part to know that a public
body is impacting the decisions of a state government. Well, it is true that we
are told to work for the public, but what more is left to be done to gain votes
and political support, and ‘be free of inter-state riots’? What is more
important- more power or better governance?
BJP leader Suraj Pal Amu, who
had threatened actress Deepika Padukone and
director Sanjay Leela Bhansali over Bollywood movie Padmavati, has resigned
from the post of party’s Haryana Chief Media Coordinator. (The Indian Express,
Novemer 29, 2017)
Good. Director Anubhav Sinha believes that Padamavti is
being used by political parties and governments to further their agenda at this
point of time, and I think he is right.
For a movie
that’s been made on a budget of nearly Rs 200 crore, the delay and a truncated
release will mean a huge loss for the producers Viacom 18, believes Komal
Nehta, a trade analyst. After its theatre release, the movie will get its
TV and online release, after which anybody can watch it. But the monetary
losses may just be “unbearable”. “In fact, the producers may have suffered
a huge loss already. They will have to promote the movie again, market it once
more. The meter on the borrowed money’s interest is still ticking,” he warns.
“Padmavati’s satellite and streaming rights may have been sold way before the
movie was made, but these will come into play only after the theatrical release
is finally sorted.”(DC- November 25, 2017)
I believe that this film will
go beyond our good expectations. I believe that this film captures Rajput
valour, dignity and tradition in all its glory, rather than anything else. I
believe we all should give creativity and expression-al liberty a chance. I
believe we all should learn to accept more. I believe we all should be more
‘tolerant’, more ‘liberal’.
Judiciary | 2017
It is been three times
that the Supreme Court turned down a request to
ban ’Padmavati’
and rebuked Chief Ministers and others who have spoken
out against the film. The judges
reiterated that it is the prerogative of the National Censor Board to review
the film and make a decision on whether it is suitable for screening.
"When the
matter is pending with the consideration of the CBFC (Central Board
of Film Certification), how can a person holding public offices comment on
whether CBFC should issue certificate or not? That will prejudice the decision
of the CBFC." the judges said. (NDTV, 28 November)
The Supreme Court had very sanely stated that people
holding responsible posts should not comment on the movie before it is been
certified by CBFC. Because it will prejudice minds of board members while
taking decision. And we should add that it will influence common people.
But that is what the SC said about the legal issues with the movie. What
about other issues around it? What about the atmosphere that different groups have created against the
movie? People destroying the sets of the movie and the makers shift the shoot
from Jaipur to Mumbai, People offering crores for beheading or burning the
actor, director, people travelling across India, announcing “Bharat Band”,
destroying theatres, arranging rallies and so on. Is it not the duty of police
to look after these issues? Is it not the duty of states to warn their
civilians against these violating acts? Should not political parties be
expected to give balance statements to settle down the issue rather than
igniting the matter? Is it really okay, to threat few Indians to respect the
“sentiments” of others? Should not be states taking charge on death threats?
Mumbai Police
issued a stern warning to ‘adventurous’ protesters. Joint Commissioner of
Police Deven Bharti said, “We are committed to providing security to everyone,
individually or collectively, and have taken adequate measures for protection
of individuals who have received threat. We assure them that we will not allow
miscreants to create any problem and they can indulge in their routine activities
without fear.” Police cleared, it would not interfere with protests which are
conducted in a democratic manner, but it would not allow miscreants to create
any problems. (Firstpost, November 17, 2017)
‘Democratic manner’ and ‘Democracy’, the two stand
distinctly for Mumbai police. But why is the meaning of these two different for
other states? If Mumbai Police could take action against its residents
receiving death threat, why couldn’t the Haryana Police take action against its
residents who are announcing these threats? Or why not the Rajasthan police
warn Karni Sena against vandalising sets?
Suraj Pal Amu,
BJP leader from Haryana has been booked under Section 506 (criminal
intimidation) of Indian Panel Code, but has not been arrested yet. (India West,
21 November, 2017)
We
have the rights to ask, but we fear because we have seen our judiciary system
fail many times. Cases remain pending; domination of political parties,
involvement of powerful authorities and then these public death threats leave
us thinking that if we raise our voice against one issue, we may get abandoned
by a ‘power’ who is opposing that issue.
In
a country, if a renowned director and a leading actress could get death threats
publicly, who are we? We might just get killed without being noticed. Our
family might find it tough to lodge a complaint. If people in ‘responsible
posts’ will remain silent to crime, we will soon lose faith on them.
No comments:
Post a Comment