Peshwa kin object to Bajirao Mastani scenes

Terming some of the songs and scenes in the forthcoming film Bajirao Mastani as ‘highly objectionable’, the descendants of the Peshwa have demanded those should be removed from the film. They have also asked that the movie be shown to them before it is released.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed movie has been mired in controversy due to allegations of distortion of facts and history. The descendants of Peshwa came together on Friday to express their unhappiness over the promos of the film, showing Mastani and Bajirao’s first wife Kashibai dancing together in the song Pinga and also the Peshwa shaking his legs in another song Malhar.

“We have not watched the film, but the depiction of the songs are totally wrong. Pinga has shown Marathi women in poor light. Scenes of Mastani and Kashibai dancing together were highly impossible during those times. Bajirao has also been dancing in the song Malhar. Both these songs and other objectionable scenes should be removed from the film,” said Udaysinh Peshwa, descendent of Bajirao Peshwa.

Again, the descendents of Mastani alleged that Mr Bhansali did not take cognisance of notices sent to him by them. “Has there been any king who allowed his wives to dance in front of others The families of Bajirao and Mastani were not consulted by Mr Bhansali while making this film,” said Awais Bahadur, a descendent of Mastani.

The families have also filed a plea in the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court seeking a stay on the release of the fim. The petitioners have claimed that makers have failed to research properly on the life of the Maratha Peshwa before making the film.