'No one has the right to take the law into their hands whether it is Sanjay Leela Bhansali or anyone else,' Adityanath said.
Padmavati Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is no less guilty than those issuing threats to the actors involved in the film, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday, November 21, accusing the filmmaker of being 'habitual of playing with public sentiments'.
Adityanath asserted that if there is any action, 'it will be against both sides' as he attacked Bhansali, further fuelling the ongoing row over the film which has been opposed by some groups over alleged 'distortion' of facts.
His remarks came after chief ministers of Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh voiced concern over the movie and were joined by their Punjab counterpart Captain Amarinder Singh who said cinematic licence does not give anyone the right to twist historical facts.
The Uttar Pradesh government has said it would not allow the movie's release till certain 'controversial portions' are removed.
"No one has the right to take the law into their hands whether it is Sanjay Leela Bhansali or anyone else," Adityanath said on Tuesday.
"I feel that if those threatening (the actors of the film) are guilty, Bhansali is no less guilty," he told reporters in Gorakhpur, adding if there is any action, "it will be against both sides".
Bhansali, who has been under attack over his depiction of Rajput queen Padmavati, has maintained that there is nothing objectionable and that he has been careful in portraying the queen's valour and sacrifice.
On the threats being issued to attack and behead Bhansali and the actors, Adityanath said, "Everyone should respect the feelings of each other. I feel that if everyone has good thoughts and intentions, there would be amity in society."
On November 15, the UP government shot off a letter to the Centre stating that releasing Padmavati on December 1 would not be in the interest of law and order in the state.
In a letter to the secretary, information and broadcasting ministry, UP Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said the censor board should be apprised of public resentment over the alleged distortion of facts in the film.
IMAGE: Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor in Padmavati.
