We will keep showing our support for Padmavati

Amid raging 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, are planning a 15-minute blackout in support of the film and "to protect the right to freedom of expression of creative individuals".

Ashoke Pandit of IFTDA told IANS: "We will keep showing our support for Padmavati and SLB, because it is the basic right of a creative person to tell a story in his own way. He also added that Bhansali is a responsible filmmaker, and that making a film on history is not something easy, but a huge 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."

Pandit also added, "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," he said.

Earlier this month, IFTDA, along with several other cine bodies, came together in solidarity of the historical drama.

"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.

Various celebrities from the industry, including Shabana Azmi, Hansal Mehta and Twinkle Khanna have voiced their support openly for the film.

Padmavati, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and has been at the heart of a fiery controversy, which is now a nation-wide debate.The film revolves around the tale of Rani Padmini, and fringe Rajput groups are less than pleased about this.

Despite several clarifications by the Padmavati team, they're convinced that there is a romantic dream sequence between Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmini in the film. Spearheaded by the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, they've been protesting for a ban of the film in every state, and have issued death threats to Bhansali and Deepika Padukone on a regular basis.

The film has been postponed indefinitely from December 1.

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