Indian Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone stars in the film “Padmavati,” which is ginning lots of controversy in India ahead of the scheduled Dec release

An Indian politician belonging to a Hindu nationalist party has called for the beheading of a popular Bollywood actress and her director over a film that allegedly misinterprets the legend about the 13th Century Queen of Chittor.
Even as the release of the movie ‘Padmavati’ is been delayed, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s latest production continues to face a storm of protests from politically motivated and powerful critics who accuse the movie of distorting history.
Suraj Pal Amu, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, offered a $1.5 million reward in the bounty against actress Deepika Padukone and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Sunday.
“We will reward the ones beheading (Padukone and Bhansali) with Rs 10 crore, and also take care of their family’s needs,” Amu said, according to the ndtv.
The film “Padmavati,” which is based on the centuries-old poem “Padmavat” about Queen Padmini’s life, was set for release on Dec. 1, but producers have postponed it for a later date and the producers have denied by any deliberate attempt sensualize history

Controversy: A scene between Deepika Padukone [left], and  Ranveer Singh [right], in Padmavati 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali [center], directed the controversial movie ‘Padmavati’,  which pairs Ranveer Singh [left], with Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone [right]. Bhansali was attacked on set by protesters during filming. now a Hindu politician has placed a huge bounty on his head. Same for Padukone.

 BJP media coordinator Suraj Pal Amu issued an open threat to the cast and crew and placed a hefty bounty on Padukone and Bhansali

Critics accuse the director for distorting history by adding a romantic scene involving the queen. Several groups opposing the movie previously attacked the film’s set and Bhansali in January.
Rajput Karni Sena leader Mahipal Singh Makrana said Padukone should have her nose cut because of her portrayal of the queen.
“It’s absolutely appalling,” Padukone said, according to the Post. “What have we gotten ourselves into? And where have we reached as a nation?”
“The only people we are answerable to is the censor board, and I know and I believe that nothing can stop the release of this film,” the actress continued.
Amu, the BJP’s chief media coordinator, also threatened to “break the legs” of Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of Alauddin Khilji, the Delhi Sultan obsessed about the legendary queen.

Vin Diesel and Deepika Padukone in the 2017 thriller xXX: Return of Xander Cage

In a bid to diffuse the protestations, the release of the movie was “voluntarily” deferred on Nov 19 by its producers following extensive protests, following vandalism of production sets and threats against the cast and crew.
The self-censorship, and cutting of scenes from the original release has failed to placate the protesters, who demand a complete ban led  by Amu who insists:  “Vasundhara-ji says there will have to be cuts in the film. Forget that, we will not let this film run,” Mr Amu declared.
The bone of contention for the critics is that producers allegedly, ‘invented’ a romantic angle between Padmini and Alauddin Khilji.
The literary license has incensed the politically influential Rajput groups , instigating violence against the movie makers all through filming.
Film sets have been wrecked in two cities, movie ticket windows smashed, shops vandalized and the fort of Chittor was shut to visitors.