When a filmmaker decides to make a period film there are multiple risks. One of the risks is that the budget of the movie is high, so of course, it has to do well at the box office. But, even before the movie releases, the risk is that the film should not get involved in a controversy. Recently, Vicky Kaushal starrer Chhaava made it to the headlines because of a controversy, and not just this film, many more period films in the past have faced controversies. So, let’s have a look at those movies…
Chhaava
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Let’s start the list with the recent one, Chhaava. The Vicky Kaushal starrer is a biopic on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and the trailer of movie was released a few days ago. While the trailer received a great response, some politicians and people on social media were not happy with the sequnce where Sambhaji Maharaj and Yesubai Bhonsale were seen dancing. There were objections being taken on the dance sequence, and before any major protest happens, the makers decided to remove the part where Sambhaji Maharaj dances.
Padmaavat
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When it comes to period films and controversies, the first movie that comes to our mind is Padmaavat. From Sanjay Leela Bhansali being slapped on the sets to threats of Deepika Padukone being beheaded, the movie faced a lot of controversies as Karni Sena felt that there’s a romantic scene in the film featuring Khilji and Rani Padmavati.
Bajirao Mastani
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Before Padmaavat, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani had also faced controversy. There claims that the history was not shown accurately in the movie. A petition was filed stating that the track Pinga in the film is offensive to Marathi culture. A descendant Kashibai Peshwe had stated that she had Arthritis, and that’s why she couldn’t dance.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
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Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi had also faced a controversy. Karni Sena had objected the film’s release as they felt that in the movie Rani Lakshmi Bai is shown having an affair with a British Officer. But, Kangana had given it back to them in a statement which read, “Four historians have certified Manikarnika, we have got censor certificate as well, Karni Sena has been conveyed this but they are continuing to harass me. If they don’t stop then they should know I am also a Rajput and I will destroy each one of them.”
Mangal Pandey
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Aamir Khan and Rani Mukerji starrer Mangal Pandey had also faced a controversy. Several political partys wanted to ban the film as they felt that it is distorting history. They were not happy with showing that Mangal Pandey had fallen in love with a prostitute.
Jodhaa Akbar
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Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Jodhaa Akbar is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful period films made in Bollywood. But, there were even protests against the film in many states as people felt that the portrayal of Rajput community is misleading. In fact, the film was banned in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttarakhand. Later, Supreme Court of India lifted the ban.
Maharaj
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Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan’s, debut film Maharaj was also embroiled in controversy. The film’s release on Netflix was put on stay after members of the Pushtimarg sector filed a petition in Gujarat High Court against the film. However, later the court lifted the stay.
With period films facing so many controversies, it looks like maybe filmmakers will stop exploring the genre in future.
