Jabalpur: The ripples of the controversy over Deepika Padukone’s the track ‘Besharam Rang’ from her upcoming film ‘Pathaan’ – co-starring Shah Rukh Khan – are being felt and heard across India.
On Saturday, protesters tried to disrupt the shooting of ‘Dunki’, another Shah Rukh movie, at Jabalpur’s Bhedaghat, in Madhya Pradesh, reported India Today.
Parts of the film are being shot at popular tourist destinations Bhedaghat and Dhuandhar Falls since earlier this week.
Activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Karni Sena turned up at Bhedaghat to protest against Shah Rukh and Deepika’s ‘Pathaan’ song.
However, none of the big stars of ‘Dunki’, including Shah Rukh, was present at the shoot. Shah Rukh’s body double was being used.
Police tried to stop the protesters at some distance from the shooting spot. When the angry activists tried to break the barricades, they were fiercely pushed by the police.
The protesters didn’t budge for several hours, raising slogans and chanting the Hanuman Chalisa.
In a memorandum submitted to the Tehsildar to protest against the shooting, VHP and Bajrang Dal have stated they won’t allow any actor who insults saffron to shoot on the ‘Tapobhoomi of Narmada coast’.
According to Chief Superintendent of Police Priyanka Shukla, the makers of ‘Dunki’ obtained necessary permission from the collector to shoot at the site.
The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film also stars Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal and Boman Irani among others.
Ever since the first track of ‘Besharam Rang’ was released, it has courted controversy.
Madhya Pradesh Home minister Dr Narottam Mishra objected to the use of saffron costumes in the song and some objectionable scenes in ‘Pathaan’, threatening to ban the movie in Madhya Pradesh if those shots were not replaced.
Several other politicians echoed Mishra, and Hindu organisations voiced their disapproval as well.
‘Pathaan’ is scheduled to release on January 25, 2023.
