Bhansali of ‘Bajirao Mastani’ questioned over item number ‘Pinga’.
By Dileep Thekkethil
Descendants of the Peshwa dynasty have questioned the discretion of the makers of ‘Bajirao Mastani’, who according to them disregarded the historical and anthropological significance of the clan and focused just on displaying glamor.
The controversy around Peshwas brewed after Mohini Karkarey, a descendant of the Peshwas, wrote a letter to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for failing to conduct thorough research about her ancestors. She was pointing at Bajirao Mastani song, ‘Pinga’, which disappointed many for wrongly depicting Peshwa era and its culture.
In response to the letter, Deepika Padukone, who plays a leading role in the movie, said that she has no idea what-so-ever about the contention made by Mohini Karkarey.
She also said that Bhansali is the best person to talk about the movie as he has done more than a decade-long research before finally committing to do the film and she would allow him to clear the air surrounding the recent controversies.
Raising more objections about the movie, Bajirao’s descendant Prasadrao Peshwa, wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to review the soon-to-get-release movie.
“It has been found out that the said cinema in the name of cinematic liberty has altered original history. So also, a song has been picturised on the wife of Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa I, Kashibai and Mastani. This incident is not keeping in-line with the history,” he alleged.
“Moreover, the Pinga dance form is an integral part of Marathi culture and has been transformed into an ‘item song’ and the costumes and dance direction are on that lines,” he added.
Prasadrao said the warrior king Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa and the overall legacy of Peshwas is a matter of Maharashtrian pride.
“The historical personalities are always a matter of respect. The picturization of the said film, the historical references of the period and story appear to be perverted,” he accused.
Since the announcement of the movie, almost a decade back, the names of almost all superstars of Bollywood was linked to it including that of Salman, Shahrukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Hrithik Roshan. On the other hand, female stars ranging from Aishwarya, Rani Mukherji, and Kareena Kapoor were also approached. But finally, the younger generation actor Ranveer Singh will play the protagonist Bajirao and Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone will play opposite to him in the movie.
The trailer of the movie was launched today while the movie itself is expected to hit screens across India on December 18th.
Trailer of Bajirao Mastani