Police extend protection to Padmavati cast

Mumbai: Following threats from a fringe group in Rajasthan to chop off Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone’s nose if the controversial film Padmavati, which is allegedly based on the legend of Rani Padmini of Chittor is aired on December 1, the Mumbai police has provided special security at the residence and office of producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone.

According to Deven Bharti, joint commissioner of police (law and order), adequate security is being provided for the actor after receiving a request from her.

According to Karni Sena, the fringe group of Rajasthan, Mr Bhansali has depicted a wrongly implied a romantic relationship between Rani Padmavati and historical conqueror Alauddin distorting history. Mr Bhansali has, however, been denying the allegations and clarifying that the film does not distort history. The film has faced opposition from the Rajput community in Rajasthan ever since shooting for the same started in the form of its sets being vandalised twice and Mr Bhansali being attacked.

Speaking about the protection being provided to Deepika, Mr Bharti said that they increased the security at both her house and office after receiving a request from her in light of the threat.

The police had already provided security to Mr Bhansali last Saturday after members from the Rajput community protested outside his office in suburban Juhu. The police beefed up security outside his residence at Versova after an announcement of a reward of `5 crore to anyone who beheads Mr Bhansali was announced on Thursday evening.