Padmavati row: Know why Kangana Ranaut refused to sign Shabana Azmi’s petition seeking Deepika Padukone’s safety.

Mumbai: Kangana Ranaut calls a spade a spade and doesn’t fear speaking her mind. She has always expressed her take on issues that matter but there were reports suggesting that she refused to sign a petition seeking Deepika Padukone’s safety from fringe groups after she received death threats for being a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati. But why did Kangana refuse to sign the petition? Here’s the answer.

When Bollywoodlife contacted the Queen star, she opened up on the issue and clarified her stance.

She said, “I was filming Manikarnika in Jodhpur when I got a call from dear friend Anushka Sharma to sign the petition written by Ms Shabana Azmi. I explained to her that Deepika Padukone has all my support but I am a bit wary of Shabana Azmi’s investment in left wing Vs right wing politics. I have my own set of ideas and opinions about the current situation in our country. I am on the fence about many things and being a part of a feminist movement called ‘Deepika bachao’ led by someone who character assassinated me when I was bullied by influential men, seems to be one of them. Anushka understood but I am glad they reached out to me, like I said Deepika has all my support I am an individual perfectly capable of supporting who I like without anyone’s support.”

For the uninitiated, Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have been in the middle of a massive controversy for making a film based on one of the most significant chapters of Indian history. Deepika, who essays Rani Padmavati, a brave Rajput Queen has been paired with Shahid Kapoor, who essays Maharawal Ratan Singh, a Rajput warrior known for his valour.

However, there were rumours suggesting that the film had a dream sequence between Deepika and Ranveer Singh (who plays Alauddin Khilji – a tyrant Sultan who ruled Delhi) in the film. This led to massive protests – the sets of the film were vandalised and a rangoli inspired by the film’s poster created by an artist at a mall in Gujarat was destroyed a few weeks back.

Massive protests erupted across the country and several Rajput organisations demanded a ban on the film’s release. Even the Royals expressed displeasure over the film’s release.

Moreover, the film ran into trouble with the Central Board of Film Certification and the fate of the film now hangs on a tightrope. The film which was slated to release on December 1, is now indefinitely deferred.

Interestingly, Kangana too is essaying a historical character. She is playing Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.  The film also stars Deepika’s former boyfriend Nihar Pandya as Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II.

Unfortunately, Kangana has always been in news for all wrong reasons. She has been fighting a lone battle against industry heavyweight Hrithik Roshan without any support from anyone in the film fraternity. And hence, her decision not to support Shabana Azmi is quite understandable.