Anurag Kashyap blames media for stoking Padmavati fire, causing fear

Filmmaker-actor Anurag Kashyap, who is vocal about the right to freedom of speech and expression, says his opinion will not provide any solution to the problems faced by the team of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati.

At the trailer launch of his upcoming film Mukkabaaz today, Kashyap was asked his opinion on Padmavati, which is under attack from groups affiliated with the ruling BJP for allegedly distorting historical facts about the legendary Rajput queen.

"My opinion will not solve the issue," Kashyap said. "I do not think anything about this issue. In fact, I wonder why the media is thinking about it.

"I think media is the most irresponsible community right now. Why are they asking the same question to all of us and collecting our opinions on the same? Has it solved the issue? In a way, constant talk on the topic is creating more fear in our minds.

"Fear is something those groups [referring to the Rajput Karni Sena and others] are trying to create. By asking the question, media did not solve the issue but paid attention to some regional groups. They are taking advantage of it."

As a filmmaker, the Udta Punjab co-producer has often locked horns with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Should Padmavati be shown to the Karni Sena to resolve the issue?

Kashyap said: "I am not the one to think about it. But consistently talking about the issue created an atmosphere of fear."