SLB's Padmavati sets vandalised again, put on fire in Kolhapur

Mumbai: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s worries seem to be far from over. After he was assaulted on the sets of his upcoming film ‘Padmavati’ in Jaipur, the highly anticipated and controversial film’s sets in Kolhapur were set on fire. The film’s sets were reportedly vandalised around 10:30 PM on March 14.

There are also rumours suggesting that there were animals present in the sets, while it was put ablaze. Police have reportedly also arrested a few from the 40-50 odd people who arrived on the sets armed with stones and lathis.

Earlier, members of the Rajput Karni Sena assaulted the ace-director over allegations of a lovemaking scene between Queen Padmini and Islamic invader Alauddin Khilji.

However, SLB’s team had vehemently denied the rumours and clarified that there would be no such sequence in the film between actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who portray the two characters.

However the political unit reiterated that they’d not tolerate any form of historic distortion, though they aren’t against ‘art’.

But the Censor Board’s refusal to take action against Bhansali, despite their strong request has irked the Karni Sena. The CBDC said that they’d not be in a position to take any action, since the film is yet to be finished and has not been submitted for a review yet.

The film, slated for a November 17 release, stars Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Rana Rawal Ratan Singh, alongside Aditi Rao Hydari as Khilji's wife and Jim Sarbh in an unspecified role.