Mumbai: Veteran actor Shabana Azmi today
said the film industry should boycott the International Film
Festival of India to mark its protest against threats to
filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his "Padmavati" star
Deepika Padukone.
Calling the situation "cultural annihilation", Azmi
criticised Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani
for her silence on the issue.
"Smriti Irani is preparing IFFI dats possible only bcoz
the Indian Film Industry brings such acclaim to it but keeps
quiet about Padmavati!
"This is exactly like HKL Bhagat and Congress
celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi in
1989. Cultural Annihilation," she tweeted.
The actor, who put out a series of tweets on the issue,
added that the film industry should come together to support
the movie.
"The entire film industry should boycott IFFI in protest
against the threats to @deepikapadukone SLB and #Padmavati,"
she said in another tweet.
"Padmavati", which is facing protests by several Rajput
groups and others, has been sent back to makers by the Central
Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as the application for the
certification was "incomplete".
A leader of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena cited Ramayana's
Surpanakha nose-chopping incident and warned Deepika against
"inciting" sentiments. Following this, the Mumbai Police
tightened Deepika's security.
Police have also beefed up security at Bhansali's
residence in Versova.
The 48th edition of IFFI is being held in Goa from
November 20-28.
