Padmavati row: Respect Deepika Padukone's head and freedom more than her body, says Kamal Haasan

While prize money and awards are being announced on Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's heads over their upcoming period drama Padmavati, veteran actor Kamal Haasan has come out in support of the actress.

The 'Vishwaroopam' actor has taken the matter to micro-blogging site Twitter and urged people to respect Deepika Padukone's head and freedom more than her body.

"I want Ms Deepika's head.. saved. Respect it more than her body. Even more her freedom. Do not deny her that. Many communities have opposed my films. Extremism in any debate is deplorable. Wake up cerebral India. Time to think. We've said enough. Listen, Ma Bharat," he tweeted.

I wantMs.Deepika's head.. saved. Respect it more than her body.Even more her freedom. Do not deny her that.Many communities have apposed my films.Extremism in any debate is deplorable. Wake up cerebral India.Time to think. We've said enough. Listen Ma Bharat

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) November 20, 2017

His tweet was in response to Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief media coordinator Suraj Pal Amu who announced Rs 10 crore prize for anyone who beheads Padmavati actress Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Days after Amu made such a controversial statement against Deepika and Bhansali, a person from Gurugram has filed FIR against the BJP leader on Tuesday.

Man from Gurugram files FIR against BJP leader Suraj Pal Amu for his comments against Deepika Padukone & Sanjay Leela Bhansali (File Pic) #Padmavati pic.twitter.com/cVPNRzNXZg

— ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2017

Also Read | Padmavati row: Aditya Narayan comes out in support of Deepika-starrer

Earlier, several fringe groups from Rajasthan had also offered series of rewards for burning Deepika Padukone alive who has been featured as Rani Padmini in the film.

"Deepika should know how it feels like to be burnt alive. The actress will never know the sacrifice of the queen. Any person burning her alive will be given Rs 1 crore.We demand that office- bearers of the organisation be shown the movie before it is released.," Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Mahasabha (ABKM) youth wing leader Bhuvneshwar Singh was quoted as saying.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan have also said a no to the magnum opus as it may hurt the sentiments of several Rajput communities who worship Rani Padmini as their mother.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is also not ready to allow Padmavati's release in the state if any historical distortion has been made in the flick.

Meanwhile, makers have deferred the release date of Deepika-starrer from December 1, 2017, after Central Board of Film Certification has sent the movie back to them citing some technical reasons.

Also Read | Padmavati row: Karni Sena withdraws Bharat Bandh Call on December 1

However, Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi has said that there is nothing in the movie to hurt anyone's sentiment and they will not expedite the certification process of the film despite the protests across India.

Also starring Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in key roles, the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial is yet to get a new release date.