Padmavati Controversy: Fringe Group Blocks Entry To Rajasthan Chittorgarh Fort Over Padmavati: 10 Updates

Padmavati Controversy: Protests blocked the entry of tourists of the Chittorgarh Fort.

Highlights

Protesters have blocked main entrance of Chittorgarh Fort to tourists
Deepika Padukone gets special security after threats of physical harm
Film is based on Rani Padmini; scheduled to release on December 1

Members of the Rajput Karni Sena and other fringe groups in Rajasthan have this morning forced shut the entrance to the Chittorgarh Fort in the state's Chittorgarh district as they escalate their protests over director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmavati, scheduled for release on December 1. The group had yesterday threatened to "cut off the nose" of actor Deepika Padukone who plays Queen Padmini in the film. The actor has been given special security by the Mumbai Police after the threats were made. Rani Padmini is said to have lived in the Chittorgarh Fort in the 14th century.

Here is your 10-point cheat-sheet to the Padmavati controversy:

There have been protests against the film in Rajasthan as well as in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and even Karnataka, with the Karni Sena calling a country-side bandh on December 1.
Padmavati is based on the legend of Rani Padmini of Chittor and critics, mostly Rajput groups, say the film wrongly implies a romantic relationship between the queen and Emperor Alauddin Khilji. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has repeatedly denied the allegations and recently released a video clarifying that his film does not distort history.
Shots were fired in the air outside the Chittorgarh Fort today. One of the protesters said, "It is for the first time since Independence that the entry to the fort has been blocked."
In a video released on Thursday, a leader of Karni Sena threatened Deepika Padukone with physical harm. "Rajputs never raise a hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha," said Mahipal Singh Makrana, referring to the act of cutting the nose off.
Attacking the filmmaker yet again, Rajput Karni Sena President Lokendra Singh said today the group would not allow the film's release. "Do not provoke us," he threatened while speaking to ANI. Referring to the filmmaker and the raging controversy, he asked, "Who is responsible for the situation?"
Union Minister Uma Bharti condemned the threats to the actor. "If we are talking about the respect of #Padmavati, then it is our moral obligation that we respect every woman. Disrespecting an actor is uncalled for and immoral," she tweeted after the Karni Sena threatened Ms Padukone.
The sets of Padmavati were vandalised twice during the filming. In January, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was attacked on the sets in Jaipur. Both Mr Bhansali and Ms Padukone have been at the receiving end of vitriolic attack on social media as well.
Deepika Padukone told news agency IANS on Tuesday, "Where have we reached as a nation? We have regressed. The only people we are answerable to is the censor board, and I know and I believe that nothing can stop the release of this film."
A petition has been filed by a lawyer in the Supreme Court against Padmavati. The petitioner has sought deletion of objectionable scenes from the movie, according to news agency ANI. The top court has said it would consider the plea.
While the Rajasthan government is the epicentre of the protests against Padmavati, the Yogi Adityanath's government in Uttar Pradesh has written to the Centre saying that the release of the film can pose a law and order problem for the state.