A host of Bollywood celebrities including filmmakers Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap and Mukesh Bhatt condemned the attack on Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Friday by activists of a Rajput community during the shooting of a film, and called for a united stand by the film industry to ensure safety of artists.
A group of activists force-stopped the shooting of “Padmavati”, being helmed by the National Award-winning filmmaker, by vandalising the movie set at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur and also assaulted him, alleging distortion of facts.
“Am appalled at what has happened with Sanjay Bhansali….this is the time for all us as an industry to stand by our people and fraternity!!,” Johar posted on Twitter.
Am appalled at what has happened with Sanjay Bhansali….this is the time for all us as an industry to stand by our people and fraternity!!
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) January 27, 2017
“Having been through many instances of turmoil during a film shoot or release…i understand Sanjay’s emotion at this point…I stand by him,” Johar, who recently faced the ire of a right wing organisation during the released of his film “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”, said.
Having been through many instances of turmoil during a film shoot or release…i understand Sanjay's emotion at this point…I stand by him.
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) January 27, 2017
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap also exhorted the industry to unite. “Can once the whole film industry come together and take a stand, and refuse to be a pony that all … ride on?? “At the same time Shame on you Karni Sena, you make me feel ashamed to be a Rajput.. bloody spineless cowards…,” he said.
Can once the whole film industry come together and take a stand, and refuse to be a pony that all bullshit and bullshitters ride on??
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) January 27, 2017
At the same time Shame on you Karni Sena, you make me feel ashamed to be a Rajput.. bloody spineless cowards ..
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) January 27, 2017
Veteran producer-director Ram Gopal Varma expressed angst against the government for not ensuring safety of artists. “@narendramodi I don’t know when ur achchey din will come but Bhansali incident makes me feel India’s days going back to heights of burey din Bhansali is an artiste and if any country cannot protect its artistes from street hooligans it doesn’t deserve to be called a country,” he tweeted.
President of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India Mukesh Bhatt said, “The most unfortunate thing is that we filmmakers and creative artists live in a house of glass. We are always scared that anyone can come and hit a stone and nothing will be done about it. There is nothing done for our protection. I don’t know what’s the solution for this. Who do we arrest when it was a group? I feel enraged on just hearing about it. The whole film fraternity is with him (Bhansali),” Bhatt told reporters here at the launch of his his new web series ‘Maya’.
Several other celebrities have rallied their support also took to Twitter to condemn the incident.
The period drama, scheduled to release this November, stars Deepika Padukone in the lead role of Rajput queen Padmavati and features Shahid Kapoor as Raja Ratan Singh.
Ranveer Singh is essaying the role of Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi sultan, who falls in love with Padmavati.
“It’s a movie guys. You get that? Let me say it again, it’s a movie! Really upset to hear about Sanjay Leela Bhansali,” said Uday Chopra.
It’s a movie guys. You get that? Let me say it again, it’s a movie! Get over your shit! Really upset to hear about Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
— Uday Chopra (@udaychopra) January 27, 2017
“My Brother Nikhil” helmer Onir said, “It is unacceptable how often the entertainment industry is targeted by these violent idiots who go scotfree. Sign of Progress!!! #Padmavati.”
It is unacceptable how often the entertainment industry is targeted by these violent idiots who go scotfree. Sign of Progress!!! #Padmavati
— Onir (@IamOnir) January 27, 2017
“What happened on Padmavati sets is appalling and heinous. Is this the state of the world,” Sonam tweeted.
What happened on Padmavati sets is appalling and heinous. Is this the state of the world.
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) January 27, 2017
Dadlani wrote, “Sick! #SanjayLeelaBhansali one of our most respected filmmakers, attacked on his set. Hope the film industry comes together against this!”
Sick! #SanjayLeelaBhansali one of our most respected filmmakers, attacked on his set. Hope the film industry comes together against this!
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) January 27, 2017