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Protests over ‘Padmaavat’ bordered on fascism: Ranveer Singh
New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Did Ranveer Singh feel let down by the way the government handled the row over his historical drama “Padmaavat”? The Bollywood star dodged the question repeatedly here on Saturday, but said he was enraged by the protests which he felt bordered on fascism.
“It’s bizarre when I watch it,” he said of the scale of protests against the movie, when asked if people have become cynical about affairs in the country.
“I can’t believe that it’s 2018. It is so blatant that it’s bizarre. It borders on fascism. I found it appalling, I was in shock which then turned into rage.”
Ranveer was at the News18 Rising India Summit where he spoke his heart out about how he felt “helpless” in the “frustrating” incidents that preceded the release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial in January.
When asked if he felt let down by the government or whether the government was not doing enough to ensure a smooth journey for “Padmaavat”, Ranveer said: “You could say that Mr Prasoon Joshi (censor board chief) did a lot for the film, which eventually saw a release.
“I prefer to see the positives, and it is that the film got made, got released, with police deployed at exhibition centres, getting the appreciation it got, the perpetrators got taken to the cleaners after the release… And the film has gone on to make Rs 300 crore.
“There’s a silver lining, and there’s a sense of victory for Mr Bhansali, who fought tooth and nail to get it mounted, to get it made, and it eventually turned to a success.”
So, he was okay with the way the government handled the situation?
Ranveer maintained: “I don’t want to rake up what has already transpired.”
“Honestly… I have moved on to another film. And it’s going really well. I hope you come and see it. It’s called ‘Gully Boy’… It’s a film very close to my heart, and it is embedded with a social message.”
But coming back to “Padmaavat”, he said: “The thing is… I have to move forward. I can’t keep things in my system. I don’t keep things in my system for too long. When I look back at ‘Padmaavat’, there are fond memories. The film eventually released and is not just a massive commercial success, but it seems to me that it will be remembered.”
Later, another audience member pointed out “how beautifully” Ranveer had evaded the question on the government’s take on “Padmaavat’.
He was then asked if he felt the course of the row would have been different had the reigns of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) not changed from Pahlaj Nihalani to Prasoon Joshi?
“I really don’t know,” pat came the reply.
“I don’t know that many details to know what would have happened. All I know is Prasoon Joshi supported the film and it released, and it is there where it is today.”
“Padmaavat”, a historical drama, went through a tumultous journey from the beginning of its shoot till its release and beyond over conjectures that it distorted historical facts.
Rajput organisation Shree Rajput Karni Sena was up in arms against the makers, and not just vandalised its sets twice and assaulted Bhansali, but also held major protests across the country opposing the film’s release.
Ranveer said it was “hugely infuriating” and left him “full of rage”.
“But I was asked not to do anything,” he said, adding that if he was to get involved, “things would get worse and it could have been perceived as retaliation”.
So, he put all the frustration in his performance as Alauddin Khilji — an act that has won him appreciation all the way.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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