Lifestyle / Bajirao Mastani Ignites Controversy Amidst Celebrated Grandeur & Opulence

Bajirao Mastani Ignites Controversy Amidst Celebrated Grandeur & Opulence

Lifestyle Nov 27, 2015

by Daniel Pillai

Bajirao Mastani is set to release in theatres December 18, but cultural and political controversies could have audiences waiting longer.

Bajirao Mastani has been in the news for a long time. Many, many years in the making, Sanjay Leela Bhansali could not find the right cast to make this film when he wanted. Now with an A-list cast in tow, a melodic soundtrack and song promos and theatrical trailers doing the rounds and garnering views in the millions, one would expect all is looking good. Not really.

Let's take a look at three of the controversies surrounding the film which could delay its release.

^{Promotional poster of Bajirao Mastani

Photo Credit: Eros Entertainment}

Copyright infringements and mispresentation of Maharashtrian women and culture:

One of the film's songs, "Pinga," sees Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone dancing together with great energy; the dance itself attempts to represent a traditional Maharashtrian dance form called lavani. Traditionally, this genre of folk dance deals with different and varied subject matters such as society, religion, politics and romance. The songs in lavanis are mostly erotic in sentiment and the dialogues tend to be pungent in socio-political satire. In the case of "Pinga" the classical dance movements were given a more contemporary feel by choreographer Remo D'Souza and needless to say, people were not having it.

^{Still of Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone dancing in "Pinga" from Bajirao Mastani.

Photo Credit: Eros Entertainment}

But that wasn't enough to keep cultural and history purists from showing more opposition to the song. According to them "Pinga" combines a famous old lavani song called "Latpat Latpat Tuza Chalana" with a traditional Maharashtrian ceremonial hymn called "Nach Ga Ghuma." While some may consider this a wonderful way of bringing back the "old is gold" vibe for a modern-contemporary audience, many saw it as an offensive form of cultural approrpriation which could not be ignored.

^{Famous old lavani song "Latpat Latpat Tuza Chalana."

Video Credit: YouTube – Marathi Videos}

^{Maharashtrian ceremonial hymn "Nach Ga Ghuma."

Video Credit: YouTube – Madhav Kulkarni}

But wait, the controversies do not end there, in fact, they get more serious in nature. The latest controversy comes from the descendant family of Peshwa Bajirao whose life and political work and legacy Bhansali's film is inspired from. Mohini Karkarey, a descendant family member of Bajirao has claimed that Bhansali should have researched properly before creating and shooting the song "Pinga". Karkarey claims that Kashibai, Bajirao's first wife, played by Priyanka Chopra, wouldn't have danced with so much energy and happiness as she was not in the best of health and because women dancing was considered inappropriate at the time that she lived. Karkarey also went on to claim that Kashibai and Mastani, played by Deepika Padukone, met only once in their lifetime which Bhansali's film totally turns on its head.

Another descendant of queen Kashibai Peshwe, who wished not to be named, claimed that Kashibai suffered from an arthritis-like ailment at a very young age and was bed-ridden for most of her life. “The late queen was highly learned and had her own library. Since the late queen Kashibai suffered from a debilitating disease of the knee joints, she could never have been expected to dance. Moreover, the royal ladies never danced in public,” he told The Times of India.

Offensive representations to Peshwa Bajirao's legacy:

Matters get worse, after watching the promos and teasers of the film, another descendent of Peshwa Bajirao, Prasadrao Peshwe sent an open letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on November 19 asking that the government review Bajirao Mastani and take action against the mispresentation of Bajirao's legacy and the historical inaccuracies depicted in the film. “It has been found out that the said cinema in the name of cinematic liberty has altered original history. So also, a song has been picturised on the wife of Shrimant Bajirao Peshwe I, Kashibai and Mastani. This incident is not keeping in-line with the history" he told The Times of India.

^{An equestrian statue of Pradhanpant Shrimant Bajirao Ballal Peshwa outside the Shaniwar Wada in Pune, Maharashtra, India

Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org}

^{Actor Ranveer Singh as Peshwa Bajirao in Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani.}
^{Photo Credit: Eros Entertainment}

He continues, “as I could not withstand the insult of Maratha history, Marathi ethos and Indian culture, I am making this appeal to you that the Maharashtra government pay attention, review the entire film, and with proper inquiry arrive at an appropriate decision,” he said in the letter to Chief Minister Fadnavis.

Prasadrao said the warrior king Shrimant Bajirao Peshwe and the overall legacy of Peshwas is a matter of Maharashtrian pride and the preservation of cultural history. “The historical personalities are always a matter of respect. The picturisation of the said film, the historical references of the period and story appear to be perverted,” said Prasadrao Peshwe.

Facebook campaign to ban Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani:

History purists familiar with Peshwa Bajirao's history and life during the 18th century have created a Facebook page in an effort to have the film banned before its release on December 18th. The Facebook page currently has over 2,700 likes and the purists behind it claim that Bajirao Mastani brings attention to details and facts that are untrue of Peshwa Bajirao's legacy.

^{Facebook campaign to ban Bajirao Mastani from release on December 18.

Photo Credit: Ban the Movie Bajirao Mastani – Facebook Page}

So why are the descendents of Peshwa Bajirao so keen on the ban of the film? As per historical records, Bajirao Ballal Bhat, better known as Bajirao Peshwa I, was born on August 18, 1700 and ruled between 1720 to 1740. He died in a battle on April 28, 1740. According to historical records, Bajirao Peshwa I fought 43 wars and remained unconquered. The page claims: "This movie is purely insulting the glorious history of Shri Bajirao Peshwa. Let's not forget his valor. Let's work together to halt misrepresentation." Letters written to the filmmaker as well as the one written to Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, have been shared on the page.

While the media awaits a formal reply from Bhansali himself, Priyanka did manage to address the issue at an event held recently to launch the trailer in India. The 33-year-old actress said that this film is based on a book called 'Rao,' which narrates the author's version of Bajirao and Mastani's love story and it should not be taken otherwise.

^{Main Image Photo Credit: www.ohmyindia.com

Article Sources: Times of India and Indian Express}

Watch the controversial trailer of Bajirao Mastani below:

Daniel Pillai

Author

Daniel is the Digital Media Manager for ANOKHI MEDIA and the host for ANOKHI's entertainment channel, PULSE TV. As part of the dream team, Daniel manages all multiple channels under ANOKHI’s portfolio, while also training new on-air talent, and showing budding p...

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