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Padmaavat: India tightens security as controversial film opens Padmaavat: India tightens security as controversial film opens
(about 1 hour later)
Security has been tightened in parts of India for the release of a Bollywood film which has generated months of violent protests.Security has been tightened in parts of India for the release of a Bollywood film which has generated months of violent protests.
Some schools were shut in a Delhi suburb following an attack on a school bus, and cinemas in several states say they will not screen the film.Some schools were shut in a Delhi suburb following an attack on a school bus, and cinemas in several states say they will not screen the film.
Hardline Hindu groups allege Padmaavat is disrespectful of their culture because it depicts a romance between a Hindu queen and a Muslim king.Hardline Hindu groups allege Padmaavat is disrespectful of their culture because it depicts a romance between a Hindu queen and a Muslim king.
Its release was delayed for two months.Its release was delayed for two months.
Protesters have been burning vehicles and attacking cinemas, demanding the film not be released.Protesters have been burning vehicles and attacking cinemas, demanding the film not be released.
On Wednesday, footage of mobs attacking a bus carrying students in Gurgaon, near Delhi, caused outrage.On Wednesday, footage of mobs attacking a bus carrying students in Gurgaon, near Delhi, caused outrage.
It is unclear why the mob attacked the vehicle, which was clearly marked as a school bus. A video of the attack showed scared students ducking under the seat as the bus was pelted with stones.It is unclear why the mob attacked the vehicle, which was clearly marked as a school bus. A video of the attack showed scared students ducking under the seat as the bus was pelted with stones.
No children were injured in the incident, but protesters burned a number of other buses, and have also vandalised cinemas over the last few days.No children were injured in the incident, but protesters burned a number of other buses, and have also vandalised cinemas over the last few days.
Many theatres across India have said that they will not screen the film, fearing further violence.Many theatres across India have said that they will not screen the film, fearing further violence.
But some cinema-goers in Delhi said there was nothing controversial in the movie.But some cinema-goers in Delhi said there was nothing controversial in the movie.
"All the ruckus that is going on is uncalled for," one viewer told the BBC after watching the film."All the ruckus that is going on is uncalled for," one viewer told the BBC after watching the film.
The Supreme Court rejected a bid by four states that wanted the film banned for security reasons, saying it was their responsibility to ensure law and order.The Supreme Court rejected a bid by four states that wanted the film banned for security reasons, saying it was their responsibility to ensure law and order.
What is the dispute about?What is the dispute about?
Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh play the lead roles.Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh play the lead roles.
The film tells the story of 14th Century Muslim emperor Alauddin Khilji's attack on a kingdom after he was smitten by the beauty of its queen, Padmavati, who belonged to the Hindu Rajput caste.The film tells the story of 14th Century Muslim emperor Alauddin Khilji's attack on a kingdom after he was smitten by the beauty of its queen, Padmavati, who belonged to the Hindu Rajput caste.
Hindu groups and a Rajput caste organisation allege that the movie includes a scene in which the Muslim king dreams of becoming intimate with the Hindu queen.Hindu groups and a Rajput caste organisation allege that the movie includes a scene in which the Muslim king dreams of becoming intimate with the Hindu queen.
But director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has said the film does not feature such a "dream sequence" at all.But director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has said the film does not feature such a "dream sequence" at all.
But rumours of such a scene were enough to enrage right-wing Hindu groups.But rumours of such a scene were enough to enrage right-wing Hindu groups.
Protests are much ado about nothingProtests are much ado about nothing
Divya Arya, BBC News Divya Arya, Women Affairs, BBC World service, Delhi
The film Padmaavat does not depict a romance between a Hindu queen and a Muslim king, as has been alleged by protesters over the last few months.The film Padmaavat does not depict a romance between a Hindu queen and a Muslim king, as has been alleged by protesters over the last few months.
Neither is there a dream sequence between the two, nor does the Hindu queen Padmavati dance in front of strangers or wear outfits that are revealing.Neither is there a dream sequence between the two, nor does the Hindu queen Padmavati dance in front of strangers or wear outfits that are revealing.
In fact, the outrage against the film should be directed at the glamorised portrayal of mass self-immolation, or "jauhar", led by Padmavati. She and hundreds of women take their lives by jumping into a fire to escape being captured by the Muslim king.In fact, the outrage against the film should be directed at the glamorised portrayal of mass self-immolation, or "jauhar", led by Padmavati. She and hundreds of women take their lives by jumping into a fire to escape being captured by the Muslim king.
The women's desperate end is celebrated and glorified in a violent build-up to the film's climax, again emphasising the importance of the community and a husband's honour over the life of a woman.The women's desperate end is celebrated and glorified in a violent build-up to the film's climax, again emphasising the importance of the community and a husband's honour over the life of a woman.
Is the film historically accurate?Is the film historically accurate?
While Khilji is a historical figure, historians believe that Padmavati is fictional.While Khilji is a historical figure, historians believe that Padmavati is fictional.
The name of the queen, and the plot of the film, are believed to be based on an epic poem, Padmaavat, by 16th Century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi.The name of the queen, and the plot of the film, are believed to be based on an epic poem, Padmaavat, by 16th Century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi.
The poem extols the virtue of Padmavati who committed jauhar to protect her honour from Khilji who had killed her husband, the Rajput king, in a battle.The poem extols the virtue of Padmavati who committed jauhar to protect her honour from Khilji who had killed her husband, the Rajput king, in a battle.
Jauhar, the mass self-immolation by women to avoid enslavement and rape by foreign invaders, is believed to have originated some 700 years ago among the ruling class or Rajputs in India.Jauhar, the mass self-immolation by women to avoid enslavement and rape by foreign invaders, is believed to have originated some 700 years ago among the ruling class or Rajputs in India.
Women in the community set themselves alight after their men were defeated in battles to avoid being taken by the victors. But it came to be seen as a measure of wifely devotion in later years.Women in the community set themselves alight after their men were defeated in battles to avoid being taken by the victors. But it came to be seen as a measure of wifely devotion in later years.