The Full Page Padmaavat Ad Has Left The Internet Dejected For All The Right Reasons

padmaavat

Call it ‘Padmavati’, ‘Padmavat’ or ‘Padmaavat’, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie has been mired in controversies since day one. From vandalism to warnings, from death-threats to bounties, the film-maker and his entire crew including Deepika Padukone have been on the receiving end of flak because a certain community felt that their culture was being tarnished. Yes, before seeing the film.

But while we, the cine-buffs, thought that could it get any worse, time has proved us wrong. Again.

If you haven’t heard already the period film, after an onslaught of trials and tribulations, is finally slated for a release on 25th Jan. 

No, that’s not the cry.

The problem is the team got a full-page ad printed in today’s Bombay Times, with disclaimers that adjuncts to the entire episode. Read it here.  

* The film ‘Padmaavat’ is based on the epic ‘Padmavat’ by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi which is a revered work of fiction.

* The film does not have and never had a dream sequence between Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmavati.

* We have made this film as an ode to the famed valour, legacy and courage of Rajputs.

* The film portrays Rani Padmavati with utmost respect and does not tarnish her repute or misrepresent her character in any manner.

* The film has been cleared with only five modifications by the CBFC and is officially approved for release in India with a U/A certificate.

* There are no further cuts or modifications to the film.

* We are grateful to the government authorities, CBFC, film fraternity and our fans for their support.

Now, I don’t know about you but the advert quickly slips into a problematic narrative; from being informative to making an appeal so that there no more bones to pick. In fact, it is sad to see a work of art being defended to such extents, in a democracy because of an easily outraged mob.

And I’m not the only one.

The internet is filled with dejection, remorse and anger. See for yourself.  

1. SIGH.

2. ‘The joke is on us.’

3. Couldn’t agree more.

4. Only if…

5. Can you argue that?

6. Oh, the irony.

7. Of the entire system!

8. The end of artistic liberty.

9. WORD.

10. We live in such times…

11. *slow claps*

12. Popular opinion of the day.

13. Seriously.

14. ‘Shame.’

https://twitter.com/sandhumerry/status/952791268958056448

15. Correct me if I’m wrong…

While it’s good news that the movie is being released, it sad to see the circumstances that it is being subjected to. How can art survive like this? Something to ponder on…

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