I choose to be optimistic: Shahid on 'Padmavati'

Actor Shahid Kapoor, one of the three lead actors of "Padmavati", on Monday said he is confident that the historical drama will release and will be as loved and celebrated as his "Udta Punjab".

Shahid spoke on the sidelines of the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here. He said stopping the release of the film would set a precedent which he would not be "proud" of, adding that he had to suffer a similar ordeal with his earlier film "Udta Punjab".

"It will be a precedent which I am not proud of if the film finds it difficult to release. I believe that the film will release. I believe that this process is difficult and like I said, I went through a similar process with Udta Punjab. I eventually saw the film come out and I eventually saw the film loved and celebrated," Shahid said.

"So till I am disappointed, I will choose to be optimistic, because this has happened in the past. And I did see 'Udta Punjab' released. It was released all over the country.

"It released peacefully and it was seen by any and everybody and the people whom the film was about, the state of Punjab, their reaction was so beautiful when they saw the film. And I really think it will be similar for 'Padmavati'," said the actor, adding that the threats to physically injure filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the movie's lead actress Deepika Padukone were shameful.

"Padmavati", on the valour of Rajput queen Padmavati, is in the eye of a storm following protests from conservative groups.

"Any kind of conversation which is violent in nature is not very nice, is not in good taste and it is absolutely uncalled for an unfortunate," Shahid said.

"I believe in the process of certification and I am very confident that eventually 'Padmavati' will come out and it will come out in full force. I don't think there is anything in the film that is you know unacceptable or that is not in good taste. I think our constitution says you are innocent until proven guilty," he added.

In the film, Shahid plays Rawal Ratan Singh, husband to Rani Padmavati's character essayed by Deepika. Actor Ranveer Singh plays Alauddin Khilji.

"Padmavati" is yet to get a certificate from the censor board.

--IANS

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