Priyanka in a still from Bajirao Mastani
In the wake of allegations that historical facts have been "altered" in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's
Bajirao Mastani, comes a incensed tweet from its lead actress Priyanka Chopra expressing her unhappiness about the current atmosphere of bans and propagandas prevailing in the country. (Also Read:
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Priyanka, 33, wrote on Twitter, "I can't help staying silent on this anymore. It's too sad to see how films and actors become political pawns. Bans based on baseless propaganda. Holding films ransom just before they release so that publicity can be garnered for certain agendas by forcing a producer to their knees. How does no one speak up for what is right? How is this fair? People think films are just fun and games to make?! They are made with blood, sweat and tears for entertainment. Please stand by the filmmakers who put in their life's money and hard work to make people laugh and smile."
In her post, the actress also called for filmmakers to stand up to blackmail and to 'speak up' if they faced an issue. She wrote, "Don't let them be blackmailed and threatened by holding their films ransom just before release. Speak up before if there is an issue! Everyone has a right to an opinion. The timing right before release just seems very suspect! I know I may get into trouble for saying all this but I can't be a silent witness to character defamation based on opinions anymore. That is not what, the India I grew up, taught me."
Priyanka, however, did not name
Bajirao Mastani in her tweet. Asked by a fan about what triggered the incident and who was responsible, the actress tweeted:
In response to a sarcastic tweet from a social media user that 'movies and artists had been banned since Independence,' Priyanka wrote:
Last week, the actress told NDTV in New York that the Shiv Sena's objections about historical inaccuracies were ill timed. "We live in a democracy and this is a film," she said, noting, "there is difference between inspired from history and based on history."
Priyanka also raised objections to the fact that people had not raised objections to the book (Rau) when it released a few years ago. She had told NDTV. "The book came out years ago, why weren't objections raised then? Just because this is a film with a big budget and a big cast? If someone's sentiments are getting hurt, then they should have been hurt with the book too?"
Bajirao Mastani stars Ranveer Singh as Maratha leader Peshwa Bajirao 1 and Deepika Padukone as his warrior queen Mastani. Priyanka plays Bajirao's first wife Kashibai. The film opens this Friday.