Padmavati row: Film industry plans 15-minute 'blackout' on Sunday for free expression

Amid protests against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film Padmavati, the Indian Films and TV Directors' Association (IFTDA), along with 20 other bodies of the film and television industry, is planning a 15-minute blackout in support of the film and "to protect the right to freedom of expression of creative individuals."

Confirming the plan, Ashoke Pandit of IFTDA told IANS, "We will keep showing our support for Padmavati and SLB (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) because it is the basic right of a creative person to tell a story in his own way. Sanjay is a responsible filmmaker, and making a film on history is not something easy for him but a big responsibility. To express our solidarity (with the film), we are gathering on Sunday for a 15-minute blackout where all shooting units in Mumbai will put off lights and no shootings will take place."

"We strongly protest against the non-institutional bodies who every now and then protest against movies and threaten actors and makers of films. We will keep condemning their actions in a democratic manner. We have faith in our Prime Minister...for justice to Padmavati," added Pandit.

Earlier this month, IFTDA, along with several other cine bodies, came together in support of Padmavati.

"We as film industry feel hurt every time such groups target our films and try to control our freedom of expression. Unfortunately, we do not get support from any other industry, not even from the government as if we are orphans as a community," Pandit added.

The controversy started with the assumption that there are some intimate scenes between Rajput queen Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji, which could hurt the sentiments of the Rajput community.

Thereafter, the Rajput Karni Sena started a protest and threatened the makers of the film to stop its release.

"We are living in a democracy and I have faith in the government and its judiciary. These protesters have not watched the film, and Sanjay has already made it very clear by releasing a video that it is a tribute to Padmavati and no obscene scenes are there," Pandit added.

The members of film and television industry will be joining the blackout protest, titled Main Azaad Hoon, on November 26 at the Film City main entrance starting 3.30 pm.