Instead of hooligans, MP CM should support film industry: Ashoke Pandit

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit has urged Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to support the film industry instead of supporting the hooligans over 'Padmavati' row.

Chouhan on Monday declared that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum-opus would not be allowed to release in Madhya Pradesh unless the objectionable scenes were removed.

The period drama starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor has been facing protests from various groups, including Shree Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts.

While speaking about MP CM's decision, Pandit told ANI that his decision is 'shocking'.

"We respect Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan a lot because he is one of the finest chief ministers of the country. But his reaction on 'Padmavati' is quite shocking because he has not seen the film and he doesn't know what the film is all about. I would like to request Shivraj ji to have trust in us (film industry). We also respect Rani Padmavati, the Rajputs and other communities," he said.

Adding, "Creating a doubt and falling into the trap of those hooligans who want our heads and nose to be cut, who want us to be killed, it doesn't look nice for a chief minister of his stature to support them. Instead he should support the film industry because cinema and television industry has contributed to Madhya Pradesh a lot."

The 60-year-old, who is also the President of IFTDA (Indian Films & Television Directors' Association), further said Chouhan should support the creative people and Bhansali, a man who has brought grandeur to Indian cinema.

When the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Prasoon Joshi, at the red carpet of IFFI 2017 Monday, was asked about the certification process of the film, he said, they are trying to follow the procedure and that at this point, instead of all the chaos, discussion is required.

Reacting to Joshi's statement, Pandit said, "Discussion is required but I think he should at least issue a statement condemning what is happening to the industry today."

"Joshi should condemn the accuses, the abuses laid out at Sanjay Leela Bhansali's entire team," he concluded.