A brief history of Sanjay Leela Bhansali vs culture senas

SLB leaves. Vandals win. Rajasthan loses

Members of Karni Sena vandalised the sets of 'Padmavati' in Jaipur and assaulted Bhansali over an alleged intimate scene in the film between Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji. Bhansali clarified that there is no such scene and decided to cancel the shoot in the city. The violence on the film’s set resulted in the film fraternity rallying behind SLB, calling for an end to ‘goondagiri’ and ‘politics of silence’.

This desi interpretation of Romeo and Juliet was in trouble right from the beginning. Bhansali was forced to change the title from 'Ramleela' to 'Ram-Leela', and then to

'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela'

to avoid offending religious groups. The film also angered the Rajput community in Ahmedabad, who said that the film misinterpreted the community and should be banned. The film was also banned in Uttar Pradesh since the title had the words ‘Ram-Leela’ and ‘Raasleela’.

Members of several right wing groups objected to how Peshwa Bajirao and his wife Kashibai was portrayed in

'Bajirao Mastani'

, alleging that it “lowered the dignity of the historical figures.” Descendants of the Peshwa and Mastani also staged protests claiming the film distorted history. Many shows of the film were cancelled due to protests.