HC nod for 'Bajirao Mastani' release

The PIL alleged that the movie is a false and bogus representation of historic figures

Actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone at a promotional event of the movie in Lucknow on Wednesday. —PHOTO: PTI

The Bombay High Court on Friday cleared the release of the historical romance flick Bajirao Mastani . A division bench comprising Justices Naresh Patil and SB Shukre refused to interfere with its release scheduled for December 18.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist Hemant Patil, who alleged that the movie is a false and bogus representation of historic figures like Bajirao, Kashibai and Mastani. A court in Pune had earlier dismissed his application seeking a ban on the film’s release.

The PIL states: “The filmmaker has tweaked facts under the pretext of artistic licence. There are various historic evidence as well as several letters from the descendants of Peshwas which prove misrepresentation in the name of creativity in the film.”

It adds that the the song

Pinga is ‘offensive to Marathi culture’ and is an ‘obscene item number’. The PIL also points out that Kashibai was handicapped and suffered from asthma, and it is highly impossible that she danced with Mastani.

The move by leading filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.