Shahid Kapoor on Padmaavat controversy: We had to make lots of sacrifices

The ongoing controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat has kept the nation agog. While everyone has been fuming over the issue, actor Shahid Kapoor has stated that the team had to make a lot of sacrifices as the movie was mired in controversies since inception.

Shahid, who played the role of Maha Rawal Ratan Singh in the movie, further added that the entire row has taught them a lot especially about keeping their emotions in check.

"We missed out on a lot of things. We had to make lots of sacrifices. We had to learn to keep a lot of emotions in our hearts for one-and-a-half years in check. We had to be politically correct. The film had to go through a lot. But, today we feel vindicated," Shahid was quoted as saying.

Interestingly, while Padmaavat has been minting crores at the box office, Shahid Kapoor too has won praises for his performance in the movie.

Indeed, the actor is happy with the response and admitted that playing the role of Maha Rawal Ratan Singh was the biggest risk of his career.

"It was one of the biggest risks of my career to take a role like this where for one-and-a-half years nobody knew what it is... So many people had told me why are you doing this film. I knew my character is an underdog in the film, I'm happy that the hero of the film is getting so much love," said Shahid.

He also quipped that the controversy surrounding the film had assumed such large proportions in the media that they did not need to promote the movie.

The film, which is based on 16th Century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's "Padmaavat", got mired in controversy after various Rajput groups, including the Karni Sena, alleged that it distorts history, a claim repeatedly denied by Bhansali. Historians are divided on whether Padmavati actually existed.

The film starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid and Ranveer Singh was released on January 25 after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cleared it last month with a 'U/A' certificate and five modifications, including title change from "Padmavati" to "Padmaavat". 

Shahid rued the film was not released in some parts of the country such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa, but he was glad that it was being loved wherever it had released. 

"We are very, very happy and grateful. This country has always supported good films and that's what has happened. The love and result has been more than what I expected," he said.

(with PTI inputs)