Directors' association to actors-turned-MPs: Bring up Padmavati in Parliament

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Unwilling to take the protest around Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati lying down, Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) has stepped up its support for the Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor-starrer. mid-day has learnt that the IFTDA has issued letters to actors-turned-MPs urging them to raise their voice for Bhansali's drama and fight for "filmmakers' creative right to freedom of expression."

Still from Padmavati

Says Ashoke Pandit (president, IFTDA), "We have been observing the way the film industry is being treated by political parties and fringe groups. People are offering money to chop off heads of stars. We have written a letter to all those associated with the film industry who have gone on to become members of parliament, requesting them to fight for filmmakers' creative right to freedom of expression, in the sessions."

Snapshot of letter issued to MPs; Rekha, Jaya Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha

Pandit reveals that the letters have been issued to Rekha, Jaya Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Raj Babbar, and Manoj Tiwari among others.

Pandit adds, "We have written to the actors-turned-MPs because they are a product of this industry. They have to take a stand for us. By keeping quiet, we are breeding cultural terrorism. Silence is going to cost us heavy. What next? Ten people from fringe groups say ban a movie and state CMs go out to support it. This is not how governance functions."

Yet another shutdown

Tomorrow, 19 cine bodies across the country will observe a 15-minute blackout at studios as a mark of solidarity with Padmavati. Besides IFTDA, Indian Motion Picture Producers Association and Western India Cinematographers Association are amongst the many bodies supporting the cause. Says Pandit, "All shoots will be halted from 4.15 pm to 4.30 pm across studios in India."