Presenting Jodhaa as Akbar's wife distorts history:Rajput Karni Sena

New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) As just two weeks are left for the release of 'Jodhaa Akbar', the much awaited period venture from the stable of Oscar-nominated 'Lagaan' director, the film has hit a roadblock with a Rajput organisation today terming it as a 'distortion of history' and calling for a ban on its release.

''Jodhaa Akbar is an example of a film distorting historical facts under the garb of magnificent production values and elaborate sets. Showing Akbar and Jodhabai as husband and wife when in reality Jodhabai was the wife of Akbar's son Jahangir not only constitutes a careless tampering with history by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar but also a gross violation of Indian traditions and social values,'' chief patron of the Rajput Karni Sena Lokendra Singh Kalvi said.

He called for an unconditional apology from the filmmaker and demanded that the Censor Board bans the film for its distortion of history.

Mr Kalvi said the film, showed Jodhabai as the Mughal King's wife while in reality she was the wife of Akbar's son Jahangir.

''None of the 34 wives of Akbar had a name, surname or was known in folklore as Jodhabai. According to historical documents, the daughter of King Bharmel of Aamer (presently Jaipur) Hir Kumari was married to Akbar at a place called Sambhar between Ajmer and Fatehpur Sikri on February 6, 1562 and from their marriage, Salim or Jahangir was born in 1569.

In 1586, historical books mention marriage of Jahangir with Jodhpur King Uday Singh's daughter Jagat Gossain, also known as Jodhabai.

So, the relation between Jodhabai and Akbar was that of daughter-in-law and father-in-law rather than as shown in the film,'' Mr Kalvi said.

He said despite giving an assurance to them during the making of the film that careful research would be done for the film and the director would ensure there was no distortion of history, he had gone ahead and tampered with the historical facts.

Mr Kalvi said the organisation had met Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi a few days and demanded that the film be banned for its tampering with historical facts.

''We presented the Minister with all the historical documents which show the film as a gross distortion of history. The Minister has assured that he would approach the Censor Board in the matter in the next few days,''Mr Kalvi said.

Meanwhile, he said the distributor of the film in Rajasthan had decided not to release the film in the theatres keeping in view the hurt that it has caused to the sentiments of people in the state.

''The film will not release in Rajasthan theatres. Further, we have urged the exhibitors of the nearly 4000 theatres across the country which are to screen the film that they should not screen it. We have also called upon Rajput organisations in other parts of the country to ensure on their level that the film is not released,'' Mr Kalvi said.

He said the organisation had also approached UTV Motion Pictures, the producers of the film, presenting them with their point of view.

The organisation also planned to move the Supreme Court, if necessary, to stall the release of the film.

UNI AR SP HT2018