The Shri Rajput Karni Sena was in the news earlier this year after its members assaulted filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Now, they have vandalised the Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan by smashing mirrors inside the Padmini Mahal.
According to reports, the group has taken responsibility for the attack. They said they had warned the administrators to remove the mirrors as, they claim, it misrepresents the history of queen Padmavati. The tourists visiting the Chittorgarh Fort are told that Alauddin Khilji, the Mughal ruler, was shown the mirror image of Padmavati as part of a compromise with her husband, Rana Ratan Singh.
However, the group claims that Khilji had never seen Padmavati’s face. They also claim that mirrors never existed in that era. The fort has been awarded the title of a heritage structure by the Archaeological Survey of India. A case has been filed against unknown people.
Shri Rajput Karni Sena had barged onto the sets of Padmavati last month and assaulted Bhansali as they believe the film misrepresents history and shows the queen in poor light. Although the makers settled the matter later, it is to be seen whether Khilji’s character in the film ever sees the face of Padmavati.
The film stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor playing Padmavati, Khilji and Ratan Singh, respectively. It is to be released on 17 November this year.
Bhansali's Padmavati not first nor last to blur line between fact and fiction