Junagarh Fort management denies permission for 'Akbar-Jodha' shoot

Bikaner, Oct 16 (UNI) The management at Junagarh fort has decided not to let director Ashutosh Gowarikar shoot his new film 'Akbar-Jodha' in the fort following protests by the Rajput community.

The fort has been chosen to shoot the stunt and battle scenes of this Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai film.

In view of the protest threats by the local Rajput community during the shooting of the film, the Junagarh fort's management has decided not to let the film's crew shoot the historical flick.

Management has communicated this to the district collector.

The Rajputs are against Gowarikar's characterisation of Akbar's wife and queen Jodha Bai, who they say never existed. The Rajputs say Gowarikar is distorting history facts as Akbar never married Jodha Bai. Akbar was actually married to Pana Bai, who resembled Jodha Bai.

The Rajputs say historians have all accepted that Raja Bharmal's daughter and Raja Mansingh's sister Jodha Bai was never married to Akbar.

Bhagwan Singh Mehensar, secretary, Rajput seva Samiti, said Gowarikar is distorting facts for popularising his film and to cater to public tastes, without ascertaining the facts of Jodha Bai..

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