Ranveer Singh Finally Gives a Statement Over the Ongoing 'Padmavati' Row

Only if you're living under a rock will you be unaware of the ongoing controversy surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Padmavati, starring Deepika Padukone as 'Rani Padmini', Shahid Kapoor as 'Maharawal Ratan Singh' and Ranveer Singh as 'Alauddin Khilji'.

From vandalising the sets and attacking the director, to openly proclaiming that they wouldn't allow the film to be released, the film has been attacked by all sides from the Rajput Karni Sena, even going as far as threatening Deepika Padukone's life, when she tried to defend the director and the film and called India a 'regressed nation'.

Bowing down to the backlash and thousands of accusations, the film-makers have deferred the release of the period drama, and it will not release on December 1st, anymore.

In conversation with HT, Ranveer Singh was asked to throw some shade on the events and what is his opinion on the matter at hand. He was quoted—

"I am 200 per cent with the film and I stand by it as well as Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I also stand by his vision for the film. He had a vision and has done everything to realise it. Vis-à-vis the film, I can just request the audience and everybody else who have concerns about it to wait and watch the film. One shouldn't doubt Sanjay sir; he is a magnificent film-maker and has tremendous respect for Indian culture and an enormous respect for Indian heritage and he will never intentionally hurt sentiments or do anything wrong. He is a good man with good intentions. He wanted to make a film that the entire country can be proud of. So, to see all of this happening is really sad. I feel bad for a man whose efforts and good intentions have been kept aside. I just want to meet him and give him a hug."

It was a much hyped news that the intensely dark character of Khilji had taken a toll on this well-known method-actor and he has often spoken about it ever since the film's promotions have begun. He said, "As far as I am concerned, I am doing my endorsement work, and also exorcising Alauddin Khilji from my mind and whole system. It's been psychologically exhausting and very draining. It's been over a year since I have been playing Khilji so I am okay not going out and speaking about it. I am really done with Khilji's energy."

It's no surprise that social media is like a predator waiting to pounce on these celebs as soon as they utter any statement in defence, and seems like they too are well aware of it, and hence—wary. After the groundbreaking reality—of death threats being issued to an actress publicly—hit Bollywood and the country, the cast has decided to let the film defend itself against the allegations. "It's a difficult situation for me also to be in also because anything I say or write on Twitter – despite it not having anything to do with the situation – may get misconstrued and is further distorted. It could unintentionally harm sentiments because who knows what is going to be picked up that someone might take offence to. I feel audiences should now see Alauddin Khilji on screen only."

A BJP office bearer from Haryana said he would double the bounty on the heads of actor Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, to Rs. 10 crore. Surajpal Amu, the party's chief media coordinator who made the announcement, also threatened to "break the legs" of Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of Alauddin Khilji, the Delhi Sultan obsessed about the legendary 13th Century Queen of Chittor. A reward for their heads? What is the world coming to?