SRK voices support for Bhansali, calls for 'discussion' as solution

Amritsar (Punjab) [India], Jan. 31 (ANI): Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has voiced support for filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who recently found himself in the eye of controversy after being attacked by a political group Karni Sena in Rajasthan on the sets of his upcoming movie 'Padmavati'. Citing 'discussions' as the only plausible means to sort issues out, Shah Rukh said art and creativity should initiate conversations. "As far as art and creativity are concerned, everybody wants to do something new, say something new. Art should start conversations, discussions. A person might like a painting, or a poem. Other person might not. So, it should be a discussion. And a discussion should be an exchange of knowledge," he said. Shah Rukh added, "If anybody should have a disagreement, or an issue with a form of art, they should sit down and have a discussion. There's no other means that's plausible to sort issues out." Last week, members of Rajput Karni Sena had entered the Jaigarh Fort at Jaipur, Rajasthan, vandalised it and beat up Bhansali accusing him of distorting history relating to Rajput queen Padmini, her ruler-husband Raja Ratan Rawal Singh and Delhi ruler Alauddin Khilji, who was besotted with Rani Padmini. According to Karni Sena, which had earlier protested during the shooting of Ashutosh Gowariker's directorial 'Jodhaa Akbar', Bhansali's film has love scenes between Padmini and Khilji. Bhansali's team, however, clarified that there were no love scenes between Rani Padmini and Khilji and history was not distorted. The National award-winning later pulled the shoot off Jaipur. Following the attack, many celebrities, including filmmakers, actors and politicians, have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment over the incident. Padmavati has actress Deepika Padukone playing the titular role, while Shahid Kapoor essays the role of Raja Ratan Rawal Singh. Actor Ranveer Singh will be seen as Alauddin Khilji in the film. (ANI)