Padmaavat: Karni Sena ends their war on Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie

The Karni Sena on Friday said it was withdrawing its protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Padmaavat, finally conceding that the movie does not tarnish the image of Rajputs. It highlights and glorifies the valour of the community, said a leader of the fringe group.

Karni Sena leader Yogendra Singh Katar revealed on Friday that a few of its members watched the movie and found nothing objectionable in it. The movie will make Rajputs proud, he said.

The Karni Sena had been objecting to the movie's release claiming it distorts history and portrays the Rajputs in bad light. The group was also miffed at the reported existence of a dream sequence featuring Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmini. Bhansali had always denied that such a sequence existed.

In a letter, the Karni Sena leader said the group was taking back their protest and added that they would help to release the film in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

In January, the Supreme Court of India lifted the ban on the movie imposed by several states and ordered them to ensure the movie was released in a peaceful manner. However, several cinema hall owners put off screening the film in the wake of protests from Karni Sena members in Gujarat and Haryana.

Despite all the controversies and protests, Padmaavat has been doing extremely well at the box office. The film released on January 25 and it crossed Rs 100 crore-mark at the box office within four days. It currently stands at Rs 166 crore.

Padmaavat, which was earlier named Padmavati, also stars Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Jim Sarbh, Aditi Rao Hydari and Raza Murad.

Padukone has been garnering rave reviews for her performance as Rani Padmavati, and on Friday she took to her Instagram to share an appreciatory note sent to her by Amitabh Bachchan.

“There are awards…there are rewards…& then there is THIS!Thank You Baba…? @amitabhbachchan,” wrote Padukone.