As threats by various groups intensify against Padmavati and its creator for the allegedly erroneous depiction of the Rajput queen, members of the film fraternity, including film stars, have been coming out in support of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Here’s what they said…

Sushant Singh Rajput: “We all tell each other stories. A filmmaker has all the right to tell his story like we do. If the story is good, people will come and watch.”

Jacqueline Fernandez: “I just think that film is a form of art and everyone has the freedom of speech. Everyone has the freedom to make what they want to make, if people do not like or have issues with, then they don’t need to watch it. I just feel that violence is a complete no. It’s a very wrong thing to do. There are better ways to solve issues.”

Sidharth Malhotra: “I feel it is unfair that you comment on a film without watching it. Only the Censor Board has that right (to comment on a film). As an industry, we are hoping the film gets a good release and people are able to watch the film and then decide.”

Farhan Akhtar: “This has happened with many films in the past and every time it has happened, I have spoken openly about it that it should not happen. I am totally against anything being banned. I genuinely believe that we should stop treating our audiences as children. We should allow them to grow. Expose them to different types of ideas. Allow them to understand culture and think. It is important for the development of any nation that there are viewpoints, that are not always in agreement with the majority. In cinema, there is no such law that if a film releases, come what may you have to watch it. You have the freedom to boycott the film but what you don’t have is the freedom to threaten someone with grievous bodily harm, or break someone’s theatre or hurt someone in any way. And unfortunately, that’s where the line hasn’t been drawn properly. We as a film industry are dependent on the CBFC to tell us what is okay and what is not okay. We have accepted that. Beyond that, it is up to the I&B ministry and the government to protect the films and filmmakers.”

Rohit Shetty: “I have gone through this during Dilwale and it's a mess. I just hope it gets sorted out as soon as possible because it's a big budget film and everyone has worked so hard on it. It will be great for the production house and the industry also.”