Tollywood comes out in support of ‘Padmavati’

Prominent film-makers, actors and technicians from the Bengali film fraternity in Kolkata on Monday denounced protests against Padmavati and announced a 15-minute blackout at 12 noonin the entire industry on Tuesday afternoon. The announcement was made by well known film-maker Gautam Ghose, actor Prosenjit Chatterjee and producer Shrikant Mohta in the presence of other heavyweights from the industry.

The development comes after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had come out in support of the film and said she would organise a special screening in the State if need be.

“We all have smart phones in our hands but our minds have gone to medieval ages. This is the pity,” Mr. Ghose said, adding that whether a film was fit for exhibition had to be decided only by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Mr. Chatterjee said the controversy had evoked fear among all those associated with film-making that it would come to haunt everywhere.

“If this continues then films will have to be shown to individuals and taken permission before sending them to the CBFC,” he added.