Padmavati row: Sidharth Malhotra backs Shahid-Deepika-Ranveer-starrer, says it's unfair to judge without watching

While controversies and debates have refused to die down over the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming magnum opus 'Padmavati', actor Sidharth Malhotra has come forward to support the film.

Talking about the same, the 'Student of the Year' star said, "Sanjay Leela Bhansali has made films which are 'respectful and artistic' and it is not right to judge 'Padmavati' without watching it."

The actor said being a part of the industry, he understands the hard work that goes into making a film.

"If you see the kind of movies Sanjay Leela Bhansali has made, they are respectful, artistic and they have nothing offensive about them," Sidharth told reporters last night.

"So, I feel it is unfair that you comment on a film without watching it. Only the censor board has that right (to comment on a film).

As an industry, we are hoping the film gets a good release and people are able to watch the film and then decide," said the actor while speaking on the sidelines of the second edition of Lokmat Maharashtra's Most Stylish awards.

Also Read | Padmavati: Rajput Karni Sena holds protest against flick in Bengaluru

Bhansali has been facing trouble since he started shooting for the movie. The set of the movie was vandalised twice in Jaipur and Kolhapur and the director was roughed up by members of Karni Sena during the Jaipur schedule of the film earlier this year.

Rajput groups and some BJP members have accused Bhansali of distorting facts in the movie and took out rallies to stage protest against the film across India.

Amidst these controversies and debates, Bhansali has already issued an appeal to clarify that there is no dream sequence between Deepika's Padmavati and Ranveer's Alauddin Khilji characters.

Starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in key roles, the period drama is scheduled to hit the screens on December 1, 2017.

(With PTI inputs)

Also Read: No dream sequence between 'Padmavati-Khilji' in movie, says Bhansali