The protests and threats against Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Padmavati are getting more ridiculous every day. From cutting noses to beheading the leading actress and the director of the movie, some religious outfits are issuing statements that could put ISIS to shame. In the middle of this all, Ranveer Singh (who has earlier not given a public statement on this matter) was asked about this thoughts on these mindless but dangerous problems and in an interview to Hindustan Times, here’s what he had to say –
On the controversy surrounding the film –
It’s undoubtedly a very tough situation. I am most concerned about Sanjay sir. At this point, for him to go through all of this is extremely difficult considering the amount this man has suffered, sacrificed and [the way he] fought to make this film. What anybody else is going through can’t be compared to what he is experiencing. It’s a difficult situation for him to be embroiled in after the kind of love and sheer effort he has put into the film.
On SLB’s love for the country and its heritage –
I am 200 per cent with the film and I stand by it as well as Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I also stand by his vision for the film. He had a vision and has done everything to realise it. Vis-à-vis the film, I can just request the audience and everybody else who have concerns about it to wait and watch the film. One shouldn’t doubt Sanjay sir; he is a magnificent film-maker and has tremendous respect for Indian culture and an enormous respect for Indian heritage and he will never intentionally hurt sentiments or do anything wrong. He is a good man with good intentions.
And his online silence –
It’s a difficult situation for me also to be in also because anything I say or write on Twitter – despite it not having anything to do with the situation – may get misconstrued and is further distorted. It could unintentionally harm sentiments because who knows what is going to be picked up that someone might take offence to. I feel audiences should now see Alauddin Khilji on screen only.
You can read the entire interview here.