Never one to mince words, Shabana Azmi is quite vocal about her distaste for the baseless protests against Padmavati. She feels it’s time for the film industry to take a collective stand against the ugly controversies surrounding the release of the epic period drama. Says the actress, “The entire film industry should boycott the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa next month to protest against the threats issued against Padmavati, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone. If Smriti Irani is preparing for such an impressive turnout at IFFI this year, that is possible only because the Indian film industry brings such acclaim to it.”
“But the film industry keeps quiet about Padmavati! This is exactly like HKL Bhagat and the Congress celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi,” she says, Wondering why such little action has been taken against the perpetrators of violence, she states, “The CM of Rajasthan is sitting pretty. The first FIR lodged was under the Arms Act because there was open firing. Beyond that, no action has been taken against the criminals threatening naked violence.”
The actress also cannot get over the irony of the UP government asking for the postponement of the release of Padmavati. “The UP govt is asking for a delay in the release as they foresee a law-and-order problem! But the first vow the CM took was to firmly clear the state of its criminal elements. Aur film ke release hone pey ghutne tek diye (And he is already giving up ahead of a film’s release)?” Furthermore, the veteran actress lashes out at the censor board for delaying the certification of the Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh starrer.
“The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) sends the film back because some paperwork is not complete! Only after 63 days will the film be screened for the CBFC, when the Gujarat election is over and done with! Are we fools to not see through the design of fomenting unrest and polarising votes?” says an angry Shabana. The formidable activist doesn’t hide her resentment for what she sees as a victimisation of the entertainment industry for political purposes.
Shabana Azmi also lashes out at the censor board for delaying the certification of Padmavati.
“I am very angry. The film industry needs to take a strong, unified action and refuse to be sitting ducks anymore. If such threats had been made against any member of the political class, would the reaction have been the same? Are the people in the film industry not equal citizens of this country?” questions Shabana.
