Padmavati row: Dia Mirza expresses concern over safety of women in India

As protests against Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ambitious project Padmavati continues to escalate with every passing day, Bollywood actress Dia Mirza has raised questions on the safety of women in our country. 

The much-awaited film has been embroiled in controversy ever since the makers started shooting in Jaipur. Karni Sena members had vandalised the set and also allegedly assaulted the ‘Baajirao Mastani’ director. 

The Rajput organisation had alleged that the makers are distorting the history and are only interested in earning profits. Karni Sena members staged massive protests in different parts of the country demanding a ban against the movie’s release. 

The controversy surrounding the film took a new turn when some organisations issued threats to the lead actress Deepika Padukone.  A Meerut based leader Abhishek Som had announced a bounty of Rs 5 crore for chopping off the nose of the ‘Piku’ actress. 

In an oblique reference to the same, Dia took to Twitter to express her concern over the safety of women. 

People who make violent threats against one of our women to serve a misplaced idea of honour and pride on national television walk freely. What kind of country have we become? How can we ever hope to make our women feel safe if this the way we continue to treat women?

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) November 25, 2017

Padmavati was earlier slated to be released on December 1 but it was deferred after the makers failed to secure a certificate from CFBC.  The movie also stars Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the roles of Alauddin Khilji and Ratan Singh.

Various other Bollywood celebs have also expressed their concern over the threats that were made to Deepika and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Art has d possibility of creating a climate of sensitivity in which its possible 4 change 2 occur.-only if it has d freedom 2 b expressed!

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 24, 2017

I sincerely hope that condemning those who offer five crore for some ‘s head and Ten crore for some one ‘s nose is yet not considered an anti national activity .

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) November 24, 2017