Panipat: Ashutosh Gowariker's film starring Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt faces protests in Rajasthan

Ashutosh Gowariker’s film ‘Panipat’, like most period drama films, has gotten itself mired into a controversy as some sections of the people feel that the storyline tarnishes their image. This time it's the people of Rajasthan who are protesting against the release of the film as it allegedly portrays king Surajmal in a bad light. 

Fresh protests were notified of yesterday in Jaipur outside several theatres where people came with a mood for violence. On December 9, in some parts of Jaipur and adjacent cities, people locked doors and smashed windows of movie theatres showcasing ‘Panipat’. 

Interestingly, the Rajasthan State Minister Vishwendra Singh, a descendant of late King Surajmal too has joined the protests and demanded a ban on the film ‘Panipat’. In an interaction with the media, he said, “The film projects that we demanded the Agra Fort (for helping the Marathas). That's not the reality. Maharaj Surajmal expanded his kingdom through his bravery. We can't term censor board wrong. This is the fault of producer and director. They never do in-depth research. The filmmakers should get in touch with the family of a person being depicted in a film, and do comprehensive research.”

Rajasthan government, on the orders of chief minister Ashok Gehlot, has asked the said distributors to put the screening of the film on hold until the controversy is resolved. "We respect art and culture but no one's sentiments should be hurt. This is why we talked to film distributors and said a solution to this is to be found. It would be better if the film was screened after the people are convinced," Gehlot said.

‘Panipat’ is based on the third battle of Panipat fought between the Marathas and Afghan king Ahmad Shah Abdali.

The film stars Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt in pivotal roles.