Padmavati Row: Even Anarkali in K Asif’s Mughal-E-Azam was a fictitious character, says Rahul Rawail

Filmmaker Rahul Rawail has said the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed "Padmavati' should not be shunned as it would amount to curtailment of creativity.

"I abhor what is being done to 'Padmavati'. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a sensible and fabulous filmmaker, he is not going to change history or turn it around. The reactions are more political. But 'Padmavati' has no reason to be shunned like this, let CBFC see the film," Rawail said.

Various Rajput groups and political leaders have accused Bhansali of distorting history in the movie by using a romantic dream sequence between Rajput queen Padmini and Alauddin Khilji, a claim repeatedly denied by the filmmaker.

"Politics is not coming in way of filmmaking. You cannot accuse Bhansali of having changed history. He is a sensible director, why will he do it? In 'Mughal-E-Azam', Anarkali was a fictitious character, so will you ban this film? The protest is stupid.

"Creativity should not be curtailed in the situation of 'Padmavati', let CBFC see the film and then the decision should be made. Once the film is censored why should someone else come in between?" he said.