The amazingly prolific and fearless Shyam Benegal definitely sees a deep-rooted political conspiracy in what is happening to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's PADMAAVAT.

Benegal had filmed the story of Allauddin Khilji's violent obsession for Rani Padmavati many years back, and not a stir of protest had happened.

Explains Benegal: "You must understand, this is not an issue of tolerance or intolerance. It is something else entirely.

"I've filmed the same saga way back in 1988 for my series 'Bharat Ek Khoj' on Doordarshan. Om Puri had played Allauddin Khilji.

"The protests have nothing to do with the content of the film.

"I see a deep-rooted political conspiracy in what is happening to Sanjay Bhansali's film."

"This is nothing but an attempt to appease the Rajput vote bank. Why are no arrests being made when even school children are being targeted?" Benegal said.

Interestingly, Benegal's vision of what transpired between Rani Padmini and Khilji was also based on the poem PADMAAVAT by Malik Mohammed Jayasi.

Explains Benegal, "Jayasi's beautiful 15th century poem is based on the idea of unattainable love. He talks of love as something that can be desired, never fulfilled.

"The poem describes the mad infatuation of Khilji for the Chittoor queen. I was deeply moved by it. We shot the story exactly the way Jayasi described it in his poem.

"In the end Rani Padmavati commits 'Jauhar' along with hundreds of followers. I haven't seen Bhansali's film. But I presume this is exactly what transpires in it."

Bhansali was part of the 'Padmavati' episode of Benegal's "Bharat Ek Khoj".

"Bhansali was an assistant director in my Padmavati episode of 'Bharat Ek Khoj'. His sister Bela Sehgal and his brother-in-law Deepal Sehgal were also involved with the episode as editors.

"We shot the episode exactly the way it was described in Jayasi's poem down to the mass jauhar at the end…Now when Sanjay makes a film based on the same poem we have women with swords coming in front of the media threatening to commit jauhar to stop the film…," Benegal said.

"…My advice to them is, they must carry out their threats in front of live TV cameras. What TRPs that would amass, don't you think?" said the veteran filmmaker.

On a more serious note, Benegal wonders why the government is silent over these unlawful protests.

"We've these strange men with their aggressive demeanour going on national television to issue open threats. The law enforcers know what exactly and who they are.

"Why are they not being arrested even when they openly issue threats against the director and his actors?

Would Benegal hesitate in directing 'Padmavati' today?

"Not at all," comes the prompt answer. "One doesn't think of these things while making a film. But again I repeat, what is happening to Sanjay Bhansali's film is no ordinary protest. It is something else, beyond my understanding."

The amazingly prolific and fearless Shyam Benegal definitely sees a deep-rooted political conspiracy in what is happening to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's PADMAAVAT.

Benegal had filmed the story of Allauddin Khilji's violent obsession for Rani Padmavati many years back, and not a stir of protest had happened.

Explains Benegal: "You must understand, this is not an issue of tolerance or intolerance. It is something else entirely.

"I've filmed the same saga way back in 1988 for my series 'Bharat Ek Khoj' on Doordarshan. Om Puri had played Allauddin Khilji.

"The protests have nothing to do with the content of the film.

"I see a deep-rooted political conspiracy in what is happening to Sanjay Bhansali's film."

"This is nothing but an attempt to appease the Rajput vote bank. Why are no arrests being made when even school children are being targeted?" Benegal said.

Interestingly, Benegal's vision of what transpired between Rani Padmini and Khilji was also based on the poem PADMAAVAT by Malik Mohammed Jayasi.

Explains Benegal, "Jayasi's beautiful 15th century poem is based on the idea of unattainable love. He talks of love as something that can be desired, never fulfilled.

"The poem describes the mad infatuation of Khilji for the Chittoor queen. I was deeply moved by it. We shot the story exactly the way Jayasi described it in his poem.

"In the end Rani Padmavati commits 'Jauhar' along with hundreds of followers. I haven't seen Bhansali's film. But I presume this is exactly what transpires in it."

Bhansali was part of the 'Padmavati' episode of Benegal's "Bharat Ek Khoj".

"Bhansali was an assistant director in my Padmavati episode of 'Bharat Ek Khoj'. His sister Bela Sehgal and his brother-in-law Deepal Sehgal were also involved with the episode as editors.

"We shot the episode exactly the way it was described in Jayasi's poem down to the mass jauhar at the end…Now when Sanjay makes a film based on the same poem we have women with swords coming in front of the media threatening to commit jauhar to stop the film…," Benegal said.

"…My advice to them is, they must carry out their threats in front of live TV cameras. What TRPs that would amass, don't you think?" said the veteran filmmaker.

On a more serious note, Benegal wonders why the government is silent over these unlawful protests.

"We've these strange men with their aggressive demeanour going on national television to issue open threats. The law enforcers know what exactly and who they are.

"Why are they not being arrested even when they openly issue threats against the director and his actors?

Would Benegal hesitate in directing 'Padmavati' today?

"Not at all," comes the prompt answer. "One doesn't think of these things while making a film. But again I repeat, what is happening to Sanjay Bhansali's film is no ordinary protest. It is something else, beyond my understanding."

Veteran Bengali film actress Supriya Devi died at her South Kolkata residence on Friday following a massive heart attack, family sources said. She was 85.

Supriya Devi is survived by her daughter.

"She felt unwell around 6.20 a.m. She was in the bathroom then. When doctors were called, they declared her dead," they said.

Born on January 8, 1933, in Mitkina in erstwhile Burma (now Myanmar), Supriya Devi was one of the leading figures of the golden era of Bengali cinema that saw her straddle the screen space with great aplomb alongside the late Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen.

Soumitra Chatterjee and Sabitri Chatterjee now remain the few surviving representatives of that generation.

Supriya Devi was also the live-in partner of Uttam Kumar.

Veteran Bengali film actress Supriya Devi died at her South Kolkata residence on Friday following a massive heart attack, family sources said. She was 85.

Supriya Devi is survived by her daughter.

"She felt unwell around 6.20 a.m. She was in the bathroom then. When doctors were called, they declared her dead," they said.

Born on January 8, 1933, in Mitkina in erstwhile Burma (now Myanmar), Supriya Devi was one of the leading figures of the golden era of Bengali cinema that saw her straddle the screen space with great aplomb alongside the late Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen.

Soumitra Chatterjee and Sabitri Chatterjee now remain the few surviving representatives of that generation.

Supriya Devi was also the live-in partner of Uttam Kumar.

Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, who was last seen in 2010 film NO PROBLEM, says that she has been looking at scripts for the past one and a half years.

Sushmita, along with younger daughter Alisah, was present at the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation's Republic Day celebration with kids on Friday.

Asked when could the fans expect her return, Sushmita said: "I have been looking at scripts again for the past one and a half year.

"I think I am ready to commit six months of my life to a film. But, just because I am ready, doesn't mean the perfect script is ready for me."

The 1994 Miss Universe also revealed that her greatest ambition was not to become a star but to remain connected with people.

"Like I have always said, I will find a way to stay connected with you people. My greatest ambition wasn't to become a movie star but it was to stay connected with people.

"I am very blessed that God gave me that opportunity to become an actor,…"

Sushmita had earlier on Twitter shared her disappointment over the news of a school bus attacked by PADMAAVAT protesters in Haryana's Gurugram some days back.

On Friday, when asked for a comment on the same issue, she said: "I have already said what I wanted to say about it on Twitter. Obviously I am very upset but I think we could talk about something productive today. Like these kids, who are our hope. To be able to express yourself and adding colour to life is the way of doing it."

Her tweet shared on Thursday, read: "Attacking a school bus with children in it (as young as four-years-old) is an act of pure evil. Shame on these coward monsters. Serious action must be taken…THIS CANNOT HAPPEN. #keepchildrensafe #delhi"

Talking about the art foundation's initiative and their support Sushmita said: "One of the reasons I am so very proud of this beautiful woman is Rouble Nagi's amazing support towards these kids.

"Currently there are only 300 kids but she teaches art to kids from 62 slum areas. In fact, we have art exhibitions where we have also bought their artwork to support Rouble Nagi Art Foundation.

"It is amazing to see that at such a young age these kids understand the true meaning of the Republic Day."

Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, who was last seen in 2010 film NO PROBLEM, says that she has been looking at scripts for the past one and a half years.

Sushmita, along with younger daughter Alisah, was present at the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation's Republic Day celebration with kids on Friday.

Asked when could the fans expect her return, Sushmita said: "I have been looking at scripts again for the past one and a half year.

"I think I am ready to commit six months of my life to a film. But, just because I am ready, doesn't mean the perfect script is ready for me."

The 1994 Miss Universe also revealed that her greatest ambition was not to become a star but to remain connected with people.

"Like I have always said, I will find a way to stay connected with you people. My greatest ambition wasn't to become a movie star but it was to stay connected with people.

"I am very blessed that God gave me that opportunity to become an actor,…"

Sushmita had earlier on Twitter shared her disappointment over the news of a school bus attacked by PADMAAVAT protesters in Haryana's Gurugram some days back.

On Friday, when asked for a comment on the same issue, she said: "I have already said what I wanted to say about it on Twitter. Obviously I am very upset but I think we could talk about something productive today. Like these kids, who are our hope. To be able to express yourself and adding colour to life is the way of doing it."

Her tweet shared on Thursday, read: "Attacking a school bus with children in it (as young as four-years-old) is an act of pure evil. Shame on these coward monsters. Serious action must be taken…THIS CANNOT HAPPEN. #keepchildrensafe #delhi"

Talking about the art foundation's initiative and their support Sushmita said: "One of the reasons I am so very proud of this beautiful woman is Rouble Nagi's amazing support towards these kids.

"Currently there are only 300 kids but she teaches art to kids from 62 slum areas. In fact, we have art exhibitions where we have also bought their artwork to support Rouble Nagi Art Foundation.

"It is amazing to see that at such a young age these kids understand the true meaning of the Republic Day."

Veteran actor Manoj Joshi, named among the Padma Shri awardees this year, says any form of art, especially performing arts like theatre and cinema, has a huge power to influence the thought process of the society.

"My heart is filled with gratitude," Manoj told IANS over phone about being named for the fourth highest civilian award in the country.

Starting a glorious career in theatre, Manoj — who has worked across Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi languages — made his debut in television with the daily soap "Chanakya" and went on working in various TV shows like "Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka", "Kehta Hai Dila and "Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat".

His film career began with SARFAROSH, following which he also featured in movies like CHANDNI BAR, DEVDAS, DHOOM, GURU, BHOOL BHULAIYAA and PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO to name a few.

Asked about his motivation during his journey, Manoj said: "Whatever play or cinema I have done so far, I always think about its impact on the society, because I know the power of it. Art has the power to influence our society, to impact people's mind and thought process.

"So as an actor, I am very conscious of the choice of the story because it is a medium that amalgamates visual, sound, colours and many elements. Therefore, as an artist, I know the power and responsibility of this art form," he added.

While Manoj is an artiste who has always got respect in his field, he said receiving any token of appreciation from the government is always special.

"This is a very special award for me because when your hard work is appreciated by the government of the country, it becomes special for any person of any field.

"This is a huge respect that the country shows you through the Padma Award. It gives an artist a great sense of achievement," he said.

The actor won the National Award in 2017 for "Dashakriya" and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Theatre in 2016.

Did he ever think of winning so many awards?

"No, I have never ever thought of the result for the last so many years. I just dedicated myself to the performing art. As you know, I started from theatre, for me, this is where I belong.

"I belong to the performing arts, whether it is theatre, television or cinema. I think, if anything, it is my honesty, dedication and hard work that has given me the respect that I have earned," he said.

[By Arundhuti Banerjee]

Veteran actor Manoj Joshi, named among the Padma Shri awardees this year, says any form of art, especially performing arts like theatre and cinema, has a huge power to influence the thought process of the society.

"My heart is filled with gratitude," Manoj told IANS over phone about being named for the fourth highest civilian award in the country.

Starting a glorious career in theatre, Manoj — who has worked across Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi languages — made his debut in television with the daily soap "Chanakya" and went on working in various TV shows like "Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka", "Kehta Hai Dila and "Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat".

His film career began with SARFAROSH, following which he also featured in movies like CHANDNI BAR, DEVDAS, DHOOM, GURU, BHOOL BHULAIYAA and PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO to name a few.

Asked about his motivation during his journey, Manoj said: "Whatever play or cinema I have done so far, I always think about its impact on the society, because I know the power of it. Art has the power to influence our society, to impact people's mind and thought process.

"So as an actor, I am very conscious of the choice of the story because it is a medium that amalgamates visual, sound, colours and many elements. Therefore, as an artist, I know the power and responsibility of this art form," he added.

While Manoj is an artiste who has always got respect in his field, he said receiving any token of appreciation from the government is always special.

"This is a very special award for me because when your hard work is appreciated by the government of the country, it becomes special for any person of any field.

"This is a huge respect that the country shows you through the Padma Award. It gives an artist a great sense of achievement," he said.

The actor won the National Award in 2017 for "Dashakriya" and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Theatre in 2016.

Did he ever think of winning so many awards?

"No, I have never ever thought of the result for the last so many years. I just dedicated myself to the performing art. As you know, I started from theatre, for me, this is where I belong.

"I belong to the performing arts, whether it is theatre, television or cinema. I think, if anything, it is my honesty, dedication and hard work that has given me the respect that I have earned," he said.

[By Arundhuti Banerjee]