'Padmavati' row: Aparna Sen, Manoj Bajpayee condemns attack on set, calls it 'shameful, disturbing'

Ever since the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been attacked in Kolhapur, the entire Bollywood industry has come together in support of the filmmaker condemning the attacks.

And now the recent one to join the league are actor Manoj Bajpayee and director Aparna Sen, who have not just criticized the incident but also cited it as disturbing and shameful.

It was reported that around 20 unidentified people torched the costumes and the animal feed kept there for the horses featuring in the period drama on Tuesday.

"I think it's shameful that a director's freedom of expression is being curbed in this manner. Who are these so called moral guardians of Hinduism?," Sen told PTI. 

Also Read: Watch video | 'Padmavati': Bhansali's period drama in trouble again; sets attacked, set ablaze

"The incident showed a great lapse on the part of administration. When you are in governance you have to control these elements in society. It is part of your responsibility," she added. 

On the other hand, Manoj Bajpayee too voiced similar opinions and said these attacks are a dangerous sign for the creative field.

“It is very disturbing. It is disturbing not because the set belonged to Sanjay Leela Bhansali or Padmavati; it is disturbing because it has been happening frequently. If it is happening frequently then it shows that the tolerance level of many of the segments is going down. When that happens, it is a dangerous sign for not only freedom of expression but also the right to make films. I don’t know which aspect of my film will be objected or offend any segment in this country and they will be out to assault not only me but the film shoot, the cameramen, the director, it only shows that creativity is going to be in danger. Nobody knows the script, nobody has read the script, even if they read the script and if they disagree then should the film not be made, a novel shouldn’t be written so where are we going. Should we shut our shop? Give us an option. What should we do? What is the guarantee that tomorrow if we make another film it is not going to offend any segment. So, it is a very serious question. Attack and assault on any film set be it Padmavati or some small film made by some unknown director is a dangerous sign for the creative field," Manoj Bajpayee told an entertainment portal.

Earlier, Karan Johar, Vikramaditya Motwane and S S Rajamouli have also backed Bhansali and said that freedom of speech is a fundamental right and as an artist, he should have the liberty to realize his dream.

Talking about 'Padmavati', the movie features Shahid Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in key roles. 

The period drama is expected to release on November 17.