Banned 'Padmavati' because we respect women, says Gujarat CM

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday sought to clarify his government's decision to ban the controversial Bollywood movie based on Rajput queen 'Padmavati', saying that the people in his state respect women.

“We have banned 'Padmavati' film because it is based on a woman and we respect women in Gujarat,” Rupani said.

The film has been at the centre of a raging storm over the alleged negative portrayal of the Rajput queen, which has become an emotive issue for the community.

Rajput organisations have taken to the streets in protest over the past few weeks, seeking an immediate ban on the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed movie.

The protests erupted after it was suggested that the movie had a dream sequence featuring Rani Padmavati and Mughal ruler Alauddin Khilji.

Padmavati was expected to hit theaters on December 1, but its fate now remains uncertain because of protests spanning several states in the country.

The movie stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor.

Padukone plays the role of Padmavati, Ranveer as Mughal ruler “Alauddin Khilji” and Shahid plays the role of Rajput ruler Maharawal Ratan Singh.