Bhavika Jain & Priyanka Kakodkar | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 9, 2020)

Mumbai: Trouble mounted for actor Kangana Ranaut as state home minister Anil Deshmukh said on Tuesday that the Mumbai police would probe allegations that she took drugs. Talking to reporters outside Vidhan Bhavan, Deshmukh said actor Adhyayan Suman, who was in a relationship with Ranaut earlier, had in an interview in 2016 claimed she consumed drugs and even forced him to take it.

In response to Deshmukh’s investigation order, Ranaut later tweeted, “I am more than happy to oblige @MumbaiPolice @AnilDeshmukh-NCP please do my drug tests investigate my call records if you find any links to drug peddlers ever I will accept my mistake and leave Mumbai forever, looking forward to meet you.”

Shiv Sena MLAs Pratap Sarnaik and Sunil Prabhu had raised the issue with Deshmukh. “They have submitted that in an interview in 2016, Suman had alleged that Ranaut consumed drugs and forced him to take the substance too. Mumbai police will look into the matter,” he said.

Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap, who moved a breach of privilege motion in the state council against Ranaut for comparing Mumbai with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, also referred to the same interview. Jagtap said he was willing to provide proof about the interview. “Her comments on Mumbai show she is a traitor to the city and state. It is a betrayal of the martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement who fought to keep Mumbai in Maharashtra,” he said.

Ranaut had recently said that she feared the Mumbai police more than the ‘movie mafia’, and would prefer security either from Himachal Pradesh or the Centre. She was provided Y-plus security by the Centre on Monday.

Deshmukh said that the irresponsible statements made by Ranaut discredit the city where she got name and fame. “No one can tolerate such insult of the state and the city. She has insulted the same Mumbai police that caught Kasab [26/11 terror attack accused], and had officials like Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar and Vijay Kamte who died on the line of duty. We should all condemn her for such statements,” he said.

Condemning Ranaut’s remarks about the Mumbai police, leader of the opposition Devendra Fadnavis said that he knew the capability of the force since he had served as chief minister for five years. “But, the police can come under political pressure,” he added.

Seeking to dismiss allegations raised by the Shiv Sena-led MVA government that the BJP's demand for a CBI probe had demoralised Mumbai police, Fadnavis said many legislators had passed adverse remarks against the police at different points of time. “Even chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, during a rally in Kalyan, had said the police were capable of only washing utensils,” said Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, Union minister Ramdas Athawale, an ally of the BJP, said workers of his party RPI (A) will provide protection to Ranaut when she returns to Mumbai. “…she is scheduled to reach Mumbai on Wednesday. Our party workers will offer protection to her at the airport as well as at her residence,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)

Goswami was charged with using derogatory language against CM, NCP chief; Ranaut was charged for comparing Mumbai to PoK
Dharmendra Jore (MID-DAY; September 9, 2020)

The Maha Vikas Aghadi members in the Maharashtra Legislature have moved a breach of privilege motion against the editor of a private news channel, Arnab Goswami, and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut.

Senior Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik submitted the motion against Goswami in the Assembly, charging him for using derogatory language against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) boss Sharad Pawar.

Congress veteran Bhai Jagtap filed the motion against Kangana in the upper house for comparing Mumbai to Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Both personalities have also been accused of defaming the Mumbai police.

The presiding officers hadn't decided on accepting the motion for further action which includes cross examination of the people involved by a privilege committee of the houses. The committee recommends punishment, including imprisonment, for the guilty. In some instances, journalists, activists and bureaucrats have been punished.

MVA Vs BJP
Sarnaik's motion was supported by parliamentary affair minister Anil Parab, who said Arnab acted like a judge and used foul language against the CM and Pawar. "He is a tin pot journalist, who has been contracted (by some people) to malign the image of our leaders. If this house can make a law to protect journalists from violence, it can also take action against such a journalist," said Parab.

Parab asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) whether it gets hurt when someone insults the prime minister. "You should support our move and condemn such journalists," he said. Senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal also spoke in support of the motion. But prompted by certain remarks from the MVA side, the opposition took up a noisy protest. The house was adjourned twice before Deputy speaker Narhari Zirwal said due procedure will be followed.

'What About The PM And Governor?'
Debating the supplementary demand later in the day, opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis asked the government if it wanted to suppress the media by using legislative tools. "We don't support derogatory language against the CM or any other leader. Will you apply the same yardstick to Saamana (Sena's mouthpiece) that uses highly objectionable words against the PM and the Maharashtra governor?

We definitely want the CM to be respected, but we don't like your double standard in respect with the PM and governor," said the ex-CM, adding that he could say the Mumbai police was the best after working five years as the home minister, but didn't understand who put them under pressure to delay and divert the Sushant Singh Rajput death probe. Fadnavis reminded the house that (the CM) Thackeray had also insulted the police by saying that "their ability was restricted to the job of cleaning utensils'.

Shiv Sena raises Marathi card in Bajirao Mastani controversy;  CM asks officials to verify claims that film insults Bajirao Peshwa and his spouses; historians says let history be, and Priyanka Chopra stands by artists’ right to interpret stories
Dharmendra Jore (MID-DAY; December 10, 2015)

With the Shiv Sena threatening to disrupt the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani and the chief minister asking officials to look into the issue, the film’s star Priyanka Chopra told mid-day that the director has the right to interpret the story the way he wanted to.

On Wednesday, the Sena demanded that the makers must cut portions that allegedly distort Maratha history, saying the film portrays Bajirao Peshwa and his spouses, Kashibai and Mastani, in a manner that hurts the sentiments of the family’s descendants in particular and the Marathi people in general.

With Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik petitioning the CM, Devendra Fadnavis asked officials to verify the claims made by the aggrieved descendants of Bajirao and Mastani and “take proper action, if the filmmaker is at fault.” Sarnaik said the party has taken the “democratic” route before resorting to Sena-style tactics. “The CM has started the procedure and there are 9-10 days for the film’s release. We expect positive action from the government,” he told mid-day from Nagpur, where the winter session of the State Legislature is currently on.

While Bhansali could not be reached for comment till press time, Priyanka Chopra, who plays Kashibai, told mid-day the film was was entirely Bhansali’s prerogative how he wanted to present a particular story. “For me, whatever I have done is completely and absolutely going by Bhansali’s vision,” said Chopra. “The film is based on a book and the book is inspired by the life of a legend from the 1700s. It is entirely a director’s vision and prerogative about how he wants to present a particular story. And that’s what happens in a democratic country. How are we to say what Bajirao’s personality was in his personal life?” She said the best anyone, including historians, would know of is Bajirao’s public persona.

“How do we know he didn’t dance, smile or didn’t express happiness in his private life?” the actor asked. “We have to allow a director’s vision and imagination to portray what he thinks could have happened. We must just see it as nothing but the cinematic vision of an extremely prolific filmmaker.”

Creative liberty
There are others who get Bhansali’s predicament. San Francisco-based business analyst Ram Sivasankaran is the writer of The Peshwa, a soon-to-be-launched fictional account inspired by the life of Bajirao I. Sivasankaran said people should understand the difference between ‘inspired by history’ and an ‘account of history’. His book, he said, is the some scenes in the book are inspired by actual accounts. But selective exaggeration is part of creative liberty,” said Sivasankaran.

That the Maratha general didn’t have reams in history books dedicated to him got Sivasankaran curious five years ago when he first heard of Bajirao’s battlefield prowess. “I believe he fought over 40 battles and didn’t lose any. That’s an impressive track record by any standard. He was valiant but also prudent,” said Sivasankaran, calling himself a history enthusiast.

That authentic historical accounts relating to the Marathas are not easy to come by made preliminary research a challenge, he said. It’s also the argument Bhansali’s sympathisers use to challenge his critics who claim he hasn’t stayed true to facts. Sivasankaran said even Rau by NS Inamdar, the novel that Bhansali’s film is based on, is a fictional account. “Writers, filmmakers don’t mean to offend. Their works are only a tribute to those not discussed enough,” argued Sivasankaran, saying Indians in pockets outside Maharashtra are most likely ignorant of Bajirao I’s contribution. “School books don’t do enough. If a film or book is going to generate an interest in the public over someone whose legacy deserves discussing, that’s only good. If a fictional account can goad someone to dig for a historical record, that’s great.”

Dr Suraj Pandit, head of the department of Ancient Indian Culture, Sathaye College, Vile Parle, said the objections raised by the Sena and the peshwa’s descendents were valid. “As a historian and archeologist, I can tell you that the objections raised about the contents are based on historical evidence,” he said, adding that cinematic liberty didn’t mean disrespecting cultural and historical aspects. “Artists too are part and parcel of cultural heritage and should respect culture, heritage and traditions. Artists cannot treat themselves independently,” said Pandit.

Sivasankaran isn’t sure how his own work will be received, but he thinks an honest disclaimer on the opening page of his book should suffice.

One of the scenes in the film a descendant of the Peshwa took objection to is of Ranveer Singh pouring water on Priyanka Chopra’s head. In Sivasankaran’s work, there is a part where Bajirao sneaks into ‘early sleeper’ Kashibai’s bedchamber because he has ‘so much to tell you’. Where does one draw the line and what does he think of how his book will be received? “I can’t predict the way my book will be received. There is a chance big and small that people may take objection but I’ve been honest with my disclaimer. It’s my tribute to Bajirao.”

All for political mileage
Sources in the Sena said the party will forcibly stop the movie from releasing if the CM did not act. Fadnavis’ remarks on the letter did not elaborate as to how the inquiry would be conducted or who will preside over it. The Sena sees the issue as an extension of playing the Marathi card for scoring political brownie points over the BJP, said a senior sainik.

“The Sena will not let Bhansali go. The movie distorts history and doesn’t represent Maharashtrian culture and traditions,” said Sarnaik, who also demanded that state legislators should be allowed to watch the movie and approve its release.

He said sainiks across the state were already networking over the issue. The Sena MLA’s complaint says that the film would be released globally later this month and hence it is pertinent to correct factual errors in presenting Maratha history and Bajirao’s personal life.

“Sadly, the grievances of descendants of aggrieved families have gone unheard. The objections raised are also supported by historians and social organisations,” said Sarnaik, demanding further that the family and historians be allowed to see the film and clear it for screening.

The aggrieved descendants of Bajirao Peshwa and Mastani told the media last week that their petition made earlier to the CM had gone unheard. They said that they have also complained to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Culture and the Censor Board.

They have received a response from the Ministry of Culture, which says that this issue wasn’t under its purview. The descendants of Bajirao Peshwa haven’t seen the film as yet, but whatever promos and songs they have seen have upset them.

Udaysinh Peshwa said: “The kind of dance shown in the film is wrong. Bajirao has never danced. I have objection to the songs, ‘Pinga’ and ‘Malhaar’. Also, the lyrics of ‘Pinga’ are unacceptable. The makers of the film have never consulted us to get any detail on the great warrior.”

Owais Bahadur, heir of Mastani, claimed: “Has there ever been a king in India who made his wives dance in his court? The makers never consulted us. Show us the film. Remove all the objectionable shots and then release it.”

You're on record
Pratap Sarnaik, Shiv Sena MLA
The song picturised on queen Kashibai and Mastani and the song in which Bajirao Peshwa dances in vulgar fashion holding his ponytail is not acceptable to the heart and mind of Marathi legislators like me.

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; April 7, 2014)

A Member of the Legislative Assembly, Thane, Pratap Sarnaik has written to the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, seeking action against a Bollywood contingent of actors and technicians who are scheduled to fly to America for IIFA Awards 2014.

Speaking to us, Sarnaik said, “The awards night is being hosted in America between 23 and 27 April. These dates coincide with our Lok Sabha elections. I’m told some of the biggest actors and renowned technicians are leaving the country in this period. There are people like Saif Ali Khan and others, who have been conferred with the Padma awards, in this group. How then, can such persons leave, without bothering to cast their vote? Actors are public figures who should lead by example. If they themselves do not exercise their franchise, they are bad role models. Such irresponsible behaviour should be condemned.”

Sarnaik added, “The election dates were announced with ample notice. Ideally, the organisers should have changed their awards show dates. Or else, the stars who are performing and receiving awards should have impressed upon the organisers the need to change the date; they should have insisted they want to be in India on election day to cast their votes.”

The MLA further stated, “This is such a serious issue that the passports of those leaving the country for their own monetary gain without casting their vote, should be impounded.”