If you are watching this video, you too will be seeing red by the end of it. Here an angry mob barges onto a film set and attacks one of the most celebrated filmmakers of India, Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The Bollywood director behind superhits like Bajirao Mastani, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Ram Leela-Goliyon Ki Raasleela, was surrounded by a violent mob, screaming slogans of “Karni Sena”, while he was shooting Padmavati in Jaipur.
While his team is trying to protect SLB, a blow lands on the cowering, unarmed, filmmaker.
The violence was unwarranted and unprovoked, yet another attack on Bollywood, which has become a soft-target for hooligans.
The purported reason is that Bhansali is “distorting history” in Padmavati, which stars Deepika Padukone as the namesake Rajput queen.
Image Source: media
The claim is obviously just another ruse for another political group to enjoy its six seconds of fame.
The slightest of pretences is enough to set off these custodians of Indian culture and history. And then they gather and attack the hapless actors and filmmakers.
If not actual violence, they band together on social media and corner the celebrities.
When SpotboyE.com contacted, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, he sounded calm, despite the fact that he was manhandled just a while ago. We asked him whether he was safe, to which SLB replied: “Yes I am safe, sometimes you have to go through this humiliation to make a film in this country dear.”
The film fraternity has voiced its support for the beleaguered Bhansali. Milap Zaveri was one of the first ones to tweet:
Sonam Kapoor who was launched by SLB in Saawariya, has reacted to the violent episode. A few minutes ago, she tweeted:
Others soon followed:
Our silence=Their strength. Our sycophancy=Our weakness. Our cowardice=Their brazenness. Fraternity=Target. F..k you Karni sena & your ilk.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) January 27, 2017
Rajput Karni Sena shud b kicked on their back side with spiked boots for what they did to Sanjay Bhansali..is this india or barbaricindia?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) January 27, 2017
A communal angle or Nationalism will be used as a justification for the violence against Sanjay Leela Bhansali on sets of #Padmavati
— Tehseen Poonawalla (@tehseenp) January 27, 2017
We all praised and lauded #MerylStreep and her speech. We must all stand by #SanjayLeelaBhansali. #RuleOfLaw
— Nikkhil Advani (@nikkhiladvani) January 27, 2017
Anyone who truly values their history doesn't attack, they study. They don't care about history, they want headlines. #SanjayLeelaBhansali
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) January 27, 2017
Anyone who truly values their history doesn't attack, they study. They don't care about history, they want headlines. #SanjayLeelaBhansali
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) January 27, 2017
When will we grow up?? Ridiculous behaviour !! Come on guys we are better than this!! https://t.co/DHi3eRZhjw
— Saqib Saleem (@Saqibsaleem) January 27, 2017
This is just disgusting,wrong & shameful.Am shocked & so angry at the stupidity & blind faith people show in cultural and religious frauds. https://t.co/DXWH7gCAEw
— bhumi pednekar (@psbhumi) January 27, 2017
For all the upholders of morality targeting artists, please go to the border and vent out your frustration there. Will be more useful!
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) January 27, 2017
Shocked by the attack on #SanjayLeelaBhansali ... Shame! These hooligans must be stopped .. who gives them the right to behave like this
— Huma Qureshi (@humasqureshi) January 27, 2017
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
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
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
Thumbnail Image Source: Images