'Bajirao Mastani': BJP workers cancel 3 shows in Pune; know why party leaders are protesting

New Delhi, Dec 18: Bollywood movie 'Bajirao Mastani', which stars Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone is facing stiff protest from BJP. Some party leaders on Friday forced Pune's City Pride theatre to cancel three shows of the film.

Reportedly, BJP leaders are not happy with the movie which is based on the love story of Maratha general Peshwa Bajirao I and Muslim princess Mastani. Leaders say that movie depicts a "distorted portrayal" of the Peshwa.

According to ANI reports, the protest was led by Udaysinh Peshwa, the descendant of Peshwas, who was joined by Kothrud's BJP MLA, Medha Kulkarni, the descendant of Chhatrasal.

Though there is no reports of cancellation of shows at any other theatre in the city, but several owners of multiplex have sought police protection to show the 'Bajirao Mastani' directed by renowned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

If reports are to be believed , several single theatre owners had halted advance bookings for the film. Getting whiff that BJP leaders could create trouble for them, owners had announced that movie tickets would be sold on the day itself when movie is scheduled to be released.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed movie has been facing protest from various quarters recently.

Earlier, a social activist Hemant Patil, president of a city-based NGO 'Bharat Against Corruption' had approached the Bombay High Court seeking stay on the release of the movie "Bajirao Mastani" until two of its songs -- 'Pinga' and 'Malhari' -- are not censored as these allegedly distort facts and history.

According to Patil's petition, the movie is a "false and bogus representation of historic people like Bajirao, Kashibai and Mastani".

Some times before, Prasadrao Peshwe, descendant of Bajirao, had also alleged that historical facts have been altered while portraying the late king and his wives in the film.

In a letter written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Prasadrao demanded that the government look into the matter, review the soon-to-be-released film, investigate the matter and take a decision accordingly.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agency)