Was Padmaavat row a flashpoint in the saga of freedom of expression in the country? In Rajasthan, a right wing group called Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha is demanding the state government to immediately put an end to the shooting of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.
"We have come to know that the filmmakers are shooting for a love song in which Rani Laxmibai is seen with a British agent of East India Company. We suspect that the producers are making the film based on the controversial book, Rani, written by Jaishree Misra," state president Suresh Mishra said, reported PTI.
He said the protests would escalate, if the administration failed to ensure that no historical facts are distorted in the epic biographical film.
Numerous parallels can be drawn with Padamaavat controversy. Just like protests over song Ghoomar, the groups are alleging that the period drama features a love song in which Rani Laxmibai becomes intimate with a agent of the East India Company.
According to Mishra, the film owners have to give an undertaking that there are no controversial scenes in the movie, or else the protests would escalate and he would approach the home minister and the governor.
When asked about the accusations, producer Jain told PTI that there were "no romantic scene as claimed" by the group and the team had not received any letter as yet.
